Racist insults halt match between Espanyol and Athletic Club 

The match between Catalan football club Espanyol and Bilbao's Athletic Club at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà-El Prat de Llobregat was briefly interrupted after racist insults were directed at Athletic Club player Maroan Sannadi on Sunday. 

The game resumed after three minutes, following LaLiga's anti-discrimination protocol which has been in place since 2005.  

During the pause, Espanyol used stadium screens and loudspeakers to remind fans of regulations against violence and discrimination in sports. The message highlighted that any form of racism, xenophobia, or homophobia is strictly prohibited and subject to sanctions.  

The Catalan club later issued a statement on social media, strongly condemning the incident and reaffirming its commitment to fighting racism in football. 

Speaking after the game, Athletic Club forward Iñaki Williams said to Movistar Futbol: "It's not the first time that this has happened.''  

In January 2020, Williams was also subjected to racist abuse during an Espanyol-Athletic Club match. 

''People should come to football to support. I think that Espanyol and the Espanyol players need their fans and should not let a few people tarnish what is true football,'' Williams said, before adding that he hopes "everything will be solved, and perpetrators punished."  

The issue of racism in Spanish football remains a pressing concern, with LaLiga implementing stricter measures to address discrimination in stadiums. Clubs and organizations continue to push for a zero-tolerance approach to ensure a safer and more inclusive sporting environment.