Athletic Bilbao defended its player Nico Williams after fans of the team erased his face from a mural on a wall in the Bilbao suburb of Baracaldo, the media in Spain wrote. This comes after there has been intense talk of a transfer for the Spanish international, who could move to Barcelona. The supporters wrote on the wall "it doesn't matter if you leave or stay, you have lost our respect".
"Nico is one of us. He is a player who grew up in Lesama, is adored in the dressing room and is supported by the audience", Athletic wrote in a statement, BTA reported.
"The dignity of a club is also measured by how it defends its own. "That's why those who erased Nico's image in the mural by artist Carlos Lopez in Barakaldo do not represent Athletic Club. And if they think they are part of our family, they should know that they are wrong. Lack of respect for one of our own is lack of respect for the club," Athletic wrote about the 22-year-old winger.