The Appeal Committee revokes the sanction against Atlético de Madrid
The Appeal Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation has upheld the appeal presented by Atlético de Madrid and has annulled the partial closure of the Metropolitan Stadium, as well as the fine of 20,000 euros imposed on the club, due to the racist insults directed towards Nico Williams, Athletic Club player.
Compliance with obligations by the club
The Appeal Committee’s resolution is based on article 15 of the Disciplinary Code, which establishes the responsibility of sports clubs in the event of violent, racist, xenophobic or intolerant chants or insults during a match. However, the Committee considers that Atlético de Madrid acted with the greatest possible diligence both in preventing and reacting to these events, so the existence of other measures that could have been adopted to avoid them or mitigate their consequences is not appreciated. gravity.
The infraction classified as ‘very serious’
The match referee recorded in the minutes the imitation of monkey sounds coming from the south stands of the Metropolitan Stadium during the match played on April 27. Given this infraction, the Competition Committee classified the events as a ‘very serious’ infraction and determined that the Atlético de Madrid stadium could not have spectators in the same stands from which the insults were made. In addition, the club was required to display a message condemning violent, racist, xenophobic and intolerant acts and behavior in football and supporting fair play in said stands.
The Appeal Committee’s decision
However, the Appeal Committee has considered that Atlético de Madrid diligently complied with its obligations and adopted the necessary measures to prevent and react to the racist insults directed at Nico Williams. Therefore, it has decided to revoke the sanction imposed on the club, allowing the Metropolitan Stadium to once again have spectators in the affected stands.