Latest news with #AthleticClub
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inaki Williams on being first black captain of Athletic Club – ‘The far right is in fashion, those of us…'
Athletic Club star Inaki Williams has this season been named the first black captain in the history of the Basque club, a milestone that he discussed on Tuesday. Los Leones are just 14 years on from their first ever black player. Back in 2011 Marcelo Bielsa handed defender Jonas Ramalho his debut against Sevilla, who has Angolan roots, marking a major milestone in the history of Athletic Club. Just three years later, Williams would take to the pitch in 2014. After former captain Oscar de Marcos announced his retirement, Williams has taken over the armband as the longest-serving first-team player. Inaki Williams: 'It was destiny that I was born in Bilbao' The press conference given by Williams made headlines for his criticism of Barcelona's pursuit of his brother, Nico Williams. However a much more important discussion was sparked when the elder Williams was asked about his taking over as the first black captain at San Mames. 'It means a lot. It seems like a coincidence when my mother and father gave birth to me in Bilbao… but it's destiny. We are lucky to represent many people who come from abroad to earn a living and be a reference, both in the Basque Country and in Spain, it's important.' Williams believes in positive political and social impact Williams went on to say that it was important to give visibility to his background, amid the current political and social crisis, given the intense attacks on the working class and immigrant population from Spain's far right political parties. Both Williams brothers have suffered racial abuse on the pitch too. 'We are people from humble families and publicising this is good for everyone. It's fashionable to be far right and those of us who have a voice will try to continue to prove them wrong, and break down barriers.' Image via Inaki Williams / Twitter / X The background of Williams brothers The 31-year-old, who has played for both Spain and Ghana, was born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents, with his mother walking across the Sahara desert before crossing into Spain at the Melilla border. His family was taken in by a Basque priest in Pamplona, hence the common Basque names Inaki and Nico. Recent weeks in Spain have seen vigilante mobs marauding around the suburbs of Madrid, attacking people of immigrant backgrounds, spurred on by the rhetoric of the far-right Vox party.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🚨 UEFA fines Athletic over crowd trouble against Manchester United
The Athletic Club finds itself at the center of controversy after announcing that the UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Committee has proposed a fine of 50,000 euros for incidents that occurred during the home and away matches of the Europa League semifinals against Manchester United. The issue arises following the matches played this season, where behaviors such as throwing objects, inappropriate chants, or the use of flares were reportedly recorded, according to UEFA regulations. The proposed fine, which includes 30,000 euros for the home leg and 20,000 euros for the away leg, reflects UEFA's increasingly strict stance against such incidents. The lions, who have always stood out for their identity and massive support, now await the final decision, which could come in the next few days. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 OLI SCARFF - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
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Movement at Lezama: Hugo Rincón heads to Girona on loan
New movement in Lezama. Athletic Club and Girona FC have reached an agreement for the loan of Hugo Rincón for the new season. The young right-back, one of the great promises of Lezama, will leave the red-and-white team to gain minutes and experience in the First Division. As several media outlets have announced, both entities have already closed all the details of the loan, which will not include a purchase option. Athletic has full confidence in the projection of the academy player and considers that this loan will be key to accelerating his competitive growth. Rincón, who has already made his debut with the first team and has been an international in lower categories, will join Girona's pre-season in the next few days. Under Míchel's orders, the Madrid-born right-back hopes to establish himself in the elite and return to Bilbao more prepared to compete for a place in the squad. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Gari Garaialde - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A new Williams on the way in Bilbao
Iñaki Williams and his wife Patricia Morales announced that they are expecting their first child with an emotional video on Instagram, in which they show an ultrasound alongside their dog and the sound of the baby's heartbeat. The couple expressed their joy with messages like "Celebrating life in such a beautiful way. We can't wait to meet you." Although the baby's gender has not been revealed, many are already joking about a future star of Athletic Club. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Aitor Alcalde - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
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Nico Williams rejects Barcelona to sign contract renewal with Athletic Club
Barcelona have missed out on Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who has decided to turn down a move to the Catalan capital for the second summer in a row. The Basque winger has committed his future to Athletic Club with a new long-term deal. Williams was being pursued by Barcelona, who were willing to pay his €58m release clause this summer. That was after Williams communicated to the Blaugrana that he was willing to make the move, but Barcelona could not provide guarantees that he would be registered. Image via Sebastian Widmann – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images New contract with Athletic Club As per multiple reports, Williams will commit his future to Athletic Club for the next decade, signing a deal until 2035. It had been rumoured that Athletic were attempting to renew his deal, but with Bayern Munich and Barcelona both pursuing him, many expected the 22-year-old to make a move this summer. Mural announcement The new Athletic contract was announced by the club on social media, in front of a mural of him and his brother Inaki Williams, the new captain of the side as of this summer. The mural had been defaced by angry Athletic fans, before the club commissioned the artist to restore it. A restoration that looks especially good now for Athleticzales. The video was accompanied by these words from Williams. 'When it comes to making decisions, for me what weighs heaviest is my heart. I'm where I want to be, with my family. This is my home. Aupa Athletic!' Athletic Club retain their star man Williams has not only signed a new deal with a wage rise, but has also significantly increased his release clause. It will be over around €87m, and while previously his €58m release clause was seen as relatively affordable for Europe's top clubs, the Spain international now enters a different realm in terms of price. It is another strong show of Athletic's pull for their players, who feel a connection that goes far beyond the usual relationship between footballers and their employers. It looks as if San Mames can enjoy the Williams brothers for some time yet, and Nico will have the chance to compete in the Champions League for the first time next season. The good times keep on coming in Bilbao.
