Justice catches up with the guilty! Fan handed prison sentence for racist abuse of Iñaki Williams
No one forgot about the incident, and now the verdict is finally enforced.
Details: In January 2020, Athletic Bilbao player Iñaki Williams was subjected to racist abuse by Espanyol fans. The match, part of La Liga’s 21st round, was played on a Saturday at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium in Barcelona and ended in a 1-1 draw.
According to Spain’s national news agency EFE, nearly five years later, a section of the Barcelona Court of Appeals has sentenced the fan to one year in prison and a €1,086 fine for inciting hatred, following an agreement with the prosecution—who initially demanded a two-year prison term—and with La Liga, which acted as a plaintiff in the case. Additionally, the fan will be banned from attending football matches for two years.
The accused, identified in court documents by the initials K.G.B., has become the first football supporter in Spain to be prosecuted for a hate crime over racist insults at a stadium.
Nevertheless, according to sources, the defendant could avoid serving prison time if the Barcelona appeals chamber decides so in its final ruling.
Reminder: A fair decision! UEFA fined Athletic Bilbao
Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert
