Espanyol fan accepts one year imprisonment for racist chants against Iñaki Williams

An Espanyol fan has accepted one year imprisonment and a fine of €1,000 for racially abusing Athletic Bilbao player Iñaki Williams in 2020.

The trial was planned for Wednesday at a Barcelona Court, but the defendant acknowledged the events just before the start of proceedings after reaching a deal with prosecutors. 

The events date back to January 25, 2020, when Athletic Bilbao faced the Catalan team at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà-El Prat de Llobregat.

The man and other spectators made monkey chants at Williams as well as shouting other insults. 

In addition to the fine and jail terms, he will be banned from football stadiums for three years and banned from teaching for five years after being sentenced for crimes against fundamental rights and freedoms.

Prosecutors requested two years in prison and a €5,000 fine, but the charges were reduced before the trial.

The defendant's lawyer has requested that the defendant not enter prison, as the sentence is less than two years and he has no previous offenses.

The prosecutor said that Iñaki Williams suffered "frustration, shame, and humiliation" and his "dignity" had been attacked.

The public prosecution said in its ruling that 27,000 spectators in the ground, over 200,000 TV viewers, and an undetermined number of radio listeners followed the game live.

During the 2025 match against RCD Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao, the game was halted for three minutes due to racist insults to another Basque player.