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Athletic Club lost on Tuesday against Osasuna and thus missed the opportunity to play in the final of the Copa del Rey. In the poor result of Ernesto Valverde's team, Nico Williams, younger brother of the renowned Iñaki, missed two clear chances, with 1-0 on the scoreboard, that could have allowed his club to overcome the 1-0 from the first leg. As expected, the 20-year-old forward became the target of ruthless criticism, the same ones that led him to close his profiles on social media. After what happened, the Bilbao team has sent a message of reflection to its fans.
"Given the uproar that closing Nico Williams's social profiles has caused, we want to convey consensually with him that after the hard blow of being eliminated from the Copa and the subsequent pressure from some users in the form of insults and disrespect on said social networks, Nico decided to deactivate his official profiles," the statement says.
Nico, in addition, "wants to express his gratitude to the fans who supported him yesterday with an ovation at San Mamés and to all those who are showing him their affection today." "We also ask that together we make an effort to eradicate this type of behavior on social media," Athletic and Williams request, reminding that "not everything is allowed" in criticism.
Nico was one of the most affected at the end of the game after wasting two very clear chances in the second half, already with 1-0 on the scoreboard, that could have given the pass to Athletic. After the match, the youngest of the Williams received the support of his older brother Iñaki in the press room.
"More than anyone, I know what happens when you fail and I know what my brother must be going through. In life, you lose more than you win and there is nothing else to do but to make an effort and keep working. My brother has a lot of future and this will serve as a learning experience," said the oldest of the saga.
The support of LaLiga
"LaLiga shows its support for Athletic Club player Nico Williams and condemns any insult and lack of respect," states a message from the club collective. "May the unconditional support of the red-and-white fans not be tarnished by the misconduct of those who are not fans of anything. LaLiga and the clubs will continue working to eradicate these behaviors," it adds.
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