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The fan was slapped with a 100 Euro fine, but will not have to serve time in prison, as the sentence is under 2 years and has no prior convictions, in accordance with Spanish law.
WILLIAMS. (X)
A Barcelona court sentenced the Espanyol fan who racially abused Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams to a year in prison on Wednesday in a landmark judgement.
The fan was accused of making racist gestures and hurling prejudiced chants towards the Ghana international in a clash between the sides in January 2020 at the RCDE Stadium.
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“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,” La Liga said.
However, in accordance with Spanish law, the fan will not have to serve the prison time, as the sentence is under two years and has no prior convictions.
The perpetrator was fined approximately 1,000 euros and banned from attending football stadiums for the next three years, according to a statement from the High Court of Justice of Catalonia. Initially, the Spanish Prosecutor’s Office sought a two-year sentence but reached an agreement with the accused.
Spanish football has faced numerous racist incidents in recent years. In February, a match between Espanyol and Athletic at the same venue was halted due to allegations that visiting forward Maroan Sannadi was racially abused by home fans.
In June, four Atletico Madrid ultras received suspended jail sentences for hanging a dummy resembling Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior from a bridge, which police classified as a “hate crime”.
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Brazilian player Vinicius has been targeted multiple times since joining Madrid in 2018, resulting in various court convictions for the offenders.
In June 2024, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for abusing the Madrid star.
Vinicius, Inaki Williams, and his younger brother Nico Williams have been prominent figures in combating racism in Spanish football.
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