LaLiga Match Temporarily Halted Over Racist Abuse Directed at Athletic Bilbao Player

The game between Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao was paused for three minutes after fans targeted Maroan Sannadi with racist chants, prompting the activation of LaLiga's anti-racism protocol.

• The incident occurred in the 16th minute when Athletic Bilbao's Iñaki Williams reported racist abuse directed at teammate Maroan Sannadi, whose parents are Moroccan.
• Referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernández stopped the match, and anti-racism messages were displayed on stadium screens, warning fans of potential suspension or abandonment of the game.
• Both Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao issued strong statements condemning racism, with LaLiga also reiterating its commitment to combating discrimination in football.
• This is not the first time Espanyol has faced racism-related incidents; in 2020, the club banned 12 fans for racially abusing Iñaki Williams during a match.
• The match resumed after the interruption and ended in a 1-1 draw, with goals from Espanyol's Roberto Fernández and Athletic's Oihan Sancet.

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