Latest news with #Barakaldo
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📸 Less than 24 hours later, Nico Williams mural in Bilbao vandalised again
📸 Less than 24 hours later, Nico Williams mural in Bilbao vandalised again The mural honoring brothers Nico and Iñaki Williams in the Lutxana neighborhood of Barakaldo has once again been the target of a vandalism act. Just 24 hours after being restored following an initial attack, the image of Nico has once again been defaced with blue paint and accompanied by an insult painted next to his face. Advertisement This is the second attack in just one week. In the first incident, the face of the younger Williams was erased and the message in Basque "Joan edo geratu, errespetua galdu duzu" ("Whether you leave or stay, you have lost respect") was written, a clear reference to the possible transfer of the player to FC Barcelona. In response, the mural was restored this Thursday by artist Carlos López, with the support of Athletic Club, which financed the restoration work and publicly defended its player. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Stu Forster - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletic Club release statement in response to Nico Williams-Barcelona backlash
La Liga outfit Athletic Club have unveiled an official statement, condemning the actions of a group of the club's supporters this weekend. This comes, for those who may have missed it, after the 'fans' in question made clear their feelings with star attacker Nico Williams. Advertisement Wide-man Nico is of course widely understood to be closing on a departure from Athletic, ahead of linking up with La Liga rivals Barcelona. The two parties, this week, went as far as to thrash out an agreement on the terms of a contract. News of as much, evidently, did not go down at all well with those of an Athletic persuasion, who on Sunday hit back at Nico in harsh fashion. Specifically, the 22-year-old saw his image erased from a famous mural in Barakaldo. In its place, the following message was written: 'Joan edo geratu, errespetua galdu duzu. (Go or stay. You have lost our respect).' And as alluded to above, those behind the scenes at San Mamés have since slammed those responsible for the act. Advertisement In a lengthy message posted across the club's website and social media platforms on Sunday evening, Athletic wrote: 'The dignity of a club is the dignity of the people who make it up and is measured by their capacity to behave in a coherent way with their own values, without falling into provocations or lowering themselves, and always holding their heads high. Respect is one of the fundamental pillars of Athletic Club. 'The summer has just begun and publications about Nico Williams, a player with a contract with Athletic Club until 2027, abound in the media and social networks. Along with them, an endless number of comments and reactions of all kinds. Nico is one of us. A player raised in Lezama, loved in the dressing room and supported by his fans. 'The dignity of a club is also reflected in the way it protects its own people. That is why those who have erased Nico's image from artist Carlos López's mural in Barakaldo do not represent Athletic. And if they think they are part of this family, they should know that they are wrong: to disrespect one of our own is to disrespect Athletic itself.' Advertisement The lengthy statement can be read in full via the link below: Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Athletic Club fans turn cold on Nico Williams over Barcelona move
As the likelihood of Nico Williams' departure increases, the first major public reaction has already taken place back in his hometown. A mural in Barakaldo, a municipality located in the Basque Country, which featured both Nico and his older brother, Inaki Williams, has been altered. Advertisement In the early hours of Sunday, a group of individuals erased Nico's image from the wall. What remains is not just the absence of the young star's face, but also a strong message painted next to it. 'Joan edo geratu, errespetua galdu duzu.' (Translation: 'Go or stay. You have lost respect.'). The mural originally went up in March 2024, following Athletic Club's Copa del Rey triumph. Over time, other club icons like Iker Muniain and Oscar De Marcos were added. However, the recent act of defacing shows how divided emotions have become, especially among fans who feel betrayed by Nico's possible exit. Barcelona working behind the scenes Despite the controversy, the transfer looks set to go through. Barcelona's sporting director Deco has already confirmed that the club is actively working to finalise the move. The earlier mural looked like this. (Photo credit: X/GerardRomero) Advertisement The player's camp is also playing its part. Nico's agent, Felix Tainta, is now trying to convince Athletic Club to accept a payment structure that would allow Barça to pay the fee in instalments rather than all at once. The release clause currently stands at €58 million, but with inflation factored in, the total amount could reach €62 million unless both clubs reach a favourable agreement soon. If all goes according to plan, Nico Williams could soon be wearing the Barcelona shirt, fulfilling a move that now seems more inevitable than ever, even if it comes at the cost of upsetting his hometown supporters.
