Referee Carlos Clos is being praised for an incident that occurred during the Sunday evening match in La Liga.
Those watching Sporting Gijon vs Athletic Bilbao on Sky Sports were left confused initially at a break in play, but it has now become clear that the match was halted due to racist chanting from a section of the home fans.
Roughly 22 minutes into the game, Bilbao winger Inaki Williams saw a shot saved at the near post, but while the cameras were showing the replays we returned to halted play and the referee speaking to one of his assistants. An announcement was played over the stadium's PA reminding those in attendance that racism will not be tolerated from anyone inside the stadium.
Play was then resumed with Williams satisfied at the actions of the referee.
It is extremely unfortunate that a footballer should be subject to this sort of abuse in this day and age, but it appears as thought this sort of subhuman behaviour is yet to be fully stamped out of the game.
The chanting was quickly condemned on social media.
El árbitro ha parado el juego unos instantes por gritos racistas de la grada a @Williaaams45 ? 0-0 #SportingAthletic #athlive
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) August 21, 2016
Game at El Molinón stopped by ref because of racist chanting aimed at Iñaki Williams https://t.co/k19ZScz6Sg
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) August 21, 2016
Sickening. Inaki is basque born as well. This is sad. https://t.co/sQjrWWIUeI
— MM & WB (@MrMeeds) August 21, 2016
Sporting Gijon has Babin in their squad, and making racist chants towards Inaki. Not that it should be related, but shows racists IQ.
— Ramzi ⚽Ⓜ (@footballmood) August 21, 2016
The ref has now stopped the game in Gijon because of racist chants being directed at Iñaki. Disgusting stuff all around...
— La Liga Daily (@LaLigaDaily) August 21, 2016
Terrible to hear Athletic Club's opener against Sporting was stopped due to racist chants aimed at Inaki Williams. Disgusting behaviour.
— Simon Harrison (@simonhfootball) August 21, 2016
Apparently there are Sporting fans shouting racist slurs at Inaki. He had some words with the ref. If true, disgusting.
— Inside Athletic Club (@InsideAthletic) August 21, 2016
The game continued without incident, and Sporting would go ahead shortly after the half-time break before doubling that lead mid-way through the second half, but they will almost certainly be punished by UEFA when the referee files his match report.
