La Liga: Fan sentenced to prison for racially abusing Inaki Williams, league labels it a milestone

A Barcelona court has sentenced an Espanyol supporter to one year in prison for racially abusing Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams during a league match in January 2020. The individual was found guilty of directing racist chants and gestures at the Ghana international inside the RCDE Stadium. While the ruling imposes a custodial sentence, Spanish law allows the fan to avoid serving time because it is under two years and there are no prior convictions. In addition, the court imposed a fine of around 1,000 euros (over ₹1 lakh) and issued a three-year ban from entering football stadiums. The High Court of Justice of Catalonia confirmed the sanctions in a statement. The Spanish Prosecutor’s Office had initially sought a two-year sentence but later reached an agreement with the accused. La Liga welcomed the decision, stressing its wider significance. “Today’s ruling represents another milestone in the fight against racism in football and the eradication of all forms of violence inside and outside stadiums,” the league said, as quoted by AFP. The incident forms part of a recurring pattern in Spanish football, where high-profile players have frequently been subjected to abuse. Earlier this year, another Espanyol–Athletic clash at the same venue was halted following allegations that visiting forward Maroan Sannadi faced racist taunts from home fans. Several other cases have also reached the courts. In June 2024, three Valencia supporters were sentenced to eight months in prison for abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. That same month, four Atletico Madrid ultras received suspended jail terms after hanging a dummy of the Brazilian from a bridge in what authorities classified as a hate crime. Alongside Vinicius, both Inaki and his brother Nico Williams have emerged as central figures in the campaign against racism in Spanish football.