Athletic Club forward Nico Williams, who has endured racist abuse in LaLiga, said his number one goal in life is to fight racism.
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Williams determined to fight racism
Williams was born in Spain to Ghanaian parents and played a starring role in Spain’s EURO 2024 title run.
His elder brother, Inaki Williams, represents Ghana.
“My brother [Athletic’s Iñaki Williams] and I, as black people, have an important task in this life, which is the fight against racism. It’s my number one goal,” he told El Mundo. “
“As a public figure, in order to contribute to that fight, I cannot be sidetracked or become a freak and not have my feet on the ground.”
Racism in football has been prevalent in Spain, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior repeatedly targeted by some opposing fans.
Vinicius even went as far as calling Spain a “racist country.”
“Obviously I’m not in VinÃcius’ skin and I don’t know how he feels,” Williams said. “I can speak for myself and it’s true that in football there are too many insults. I don’t like it when they insult others, whether it’s VinÃcius or Luka Modric. You have to go to the field to enjoy and support your team without needing to insult anyone.”
“I don’t know, I think we have to reflect because I don’t understand that behaviour [insults, racism, flare throwing] and they make football worse.”
“Too often there is a lack of respect for others.”
Spain is moving on the right path
LaLiga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have both vowed to fight against racism.
Last month, a Mallorca fan received a 12-month suspended sentence by a Spanish court after using racist insults against Vinicius and former Villarreal player Samuel Chukwueze.
“I think that Spain is moving forward on the right path and we must continue like this,” Williams said. “There are always people who try to sell another image of immigrants, but they are a minority. I am very happy to see that progress is being made in this battle against racism.”
Williams said that he is proud to call himself an example of a multicultural Spain.
“It is important to make everyone aware that many people come to Spain to earn their bread, to try to achieve a future that they do not have in their countries and to give a better life to their children. My family did that journey. I am going to try to do everything in my power so that these people [immigrants] can have a better life.”
