Sporting Gijon say they have been ordered to close part of their stadium during one La Liga match because their fans allegedly racially insulted a player from an opposing team.
Sporting say they were informed by the Spanish football federation Thursday that the punishment was prompted by insults aimed at Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams in a game at the El Molinon in August.
Williams is the first black player to score a goal for Athletic in their 117-year history.
The federation says Sporting have five days to identify in which sector the insults happened and close it for one match.
#RSGcomunicado Nota del Club en relación al expediente del caso Williams https://t.co/PKVzYX1UbO pic.twitter.com/vLQUK1LSyW
- Real Sporting (@RealSporting) November 17, 2016
The club say they will appeal the "unfair and disproportionate" ruling, saying it has always taken all necessary measures against racism and other similar offenses inside its stadium.