Atletico Madrid win appeal over racist abuse sanction

The Spanish Football Federation accepted Atletico Madrid's appeal against a partial stadium ban due to racial abuse directed at Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

Atletico's stadium was initially ordered to be partially closed for two LaLiga matches after monkey chants were heard by Williams.

However, the federation decided to lift the ban and impose a 20,000 euros fine due to Atletico's active cooperation.

Williams experienced the abuse while taking a corner and later scored, gesturing to his skin color in response. Atletico identified the perpetrator through stadium cameras, handed him over to the police, and banned him from the club.

The federation commended Atletico's prompt response to what they deemed an isolated incident. This incident adds to a series of racist events in Spanish football, with many targeting Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.

Last year, Vinicius Junior received global support after confronting a fan who was abusing him at Valencia's Mestalla stadium, leading to a partial closure of the stadium.