Initially, Atletico received a directive to partially shut down their stadium for two LaLiga matches subsequent to incidents of monkey chants directed at Spain international Williams, which were heard at Atletico's Civitas Metropolitano stadium last month. The federation cited Atletico's "proactive cooperation" as a factor in their choice to revoke the stadium ban and impose a fine of €20,000.

Williams, who is a rumoured transfer target for Barcelona, was subjected to the abuse as he approached to take a corner. Despite this, he managed to score and celebrated by pointing to his arm, a gesture referencing his skin color, during his side's 3-1 loss on 28 April. 

"There weren't many of them. There are stupid people everywhere, I hope this changes bit by bit" he stated post-match.

Atletico identified the individual responsible for the abuse through stadium cameras. Following the conclusion of the game, the individual was turned over to the police and subsequently banned from the club. The federation commended Atletico's prompt response to what they acknowledged as "an isolated incident".

"Both from the point of view of prevention and reaction, (Atletico deployed) measures that demonstrate behaviour of the greatest possible diligence," the ruling said.

"The club's active collaboration, the identification of the person responsible and the fact that it was an isolated incident, carried out by a single person, allows us to affirm that the maximum possible diligence was taken by the club. The attribution of responsibility could only arise from an objective liability that is not what is provided for in the regulations and is not admissible in the sanctioning area."

In recent years, Spanish football has experienced a series of racist incidents, with several directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. Last year, the Brazilian international garnered worldwide backing after confronting a fan who was verbally abusing him at Valencia's Mestalla stadium. Following this incident, the stadium also underwent a partial closure.