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England rugby star Billy Vunipola tasered and arrested in Spain

England and Saracens forward Billy Vunipola was arrested and fined for "disobedience" and resisting arrest following an incident in Mallorca, Spanish police said on Monday.

England rugby star Billy Vunipola tasered and arrested in Spain
England's back row Billy Vunipola (centre) has reportedly been arrested in Spain. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Vunipola, 31, appeared in court on Sunday following the episode at a bar in the island’s capital Palma.

“This weekend’s incident of a man arrested for disobedience and resisting (authority) was brought to court yesterday, and he was released with charges,” a police spokesperson told AFP.

English Premiership club Saracens said they were aware of an event involving their player and would be dealing with the matter internally.

Vunipola released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying: “I can confirm I was involved in an unfortunate misunderstanding when I was leaving a club in Mallorca on Sunday, which got out of hand.”

He insisted there was “no violence, no fight and I did not threaten anybody at any stage, with bottles or chairs or anything else”.

Vunipola said he had been charged with resisting the law and was fined 240 euros ($257) after a brief trial.

“The Spanish police investigation is now closed, and I am flying back to the UK today.”

The Mallorca-based Ultima Hora newspaper said Vunipola was tasered twice by police in the incident and that it took eight police officers to subdue and handcuff him.

The newspaper’s website carried a video showing a handcuffed Vunipola, as well as other men, being led from a police van into a courtroom.

A Saracens statement on social media said: “Saracens is aware of an incident involving Billy Vunipola.

“We will of course deal with this incident internally, and will not make any further comment until then.”

Vunipola is expected to leave Saracens at the end of this season and has previously been linked with a move to France, although nothing has been confirmed.

He has won 75 England caps, making his Test debut against Argentina in 2013. He is not currently part of the England squad.

Vunipola made an appearance as a second-half substitute for Saracens in their 15-12 victory over Bath on Friday.

The club are not scheduled to play again until May 11.

Saracens are second in the English Premiership and are chasing a sixth league title in the last 10 seasons with just two rounds of regular season games left before the play-offs.

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Atlético Madrid hit with partial stadium closure after racist abuse

Atlético Madrid must partially close their stadium for two La Liga matches after Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams suffered racial abuse there, the Spanish football federation said.

Atlético Madrid hit with partial stadium closure after racist abuse

The Spain international heard monkey chants directed at him in the first half of his team’s 3-1 defeat at AtlĂ©tico’s Metropolitano stadium in Spain’s top flight on Saturday.

“(AtlĂ©tico have been issued) a sanction of partial closure of their sports venue for a period of two matches and a financial penalty of €20,000 ($21,350),” said the federation’s competition committee in a statement.

READ ALSO: World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain’s scandal-hit federation

One area of AtlĂ©tico’s stadium will be shut for the upcoming league matches against Celta Vigo and Osasuna, as they strive for a top four finish.

“I went to take the corner and I heard monkey noises,” said Williams after Saturday’s game.

“There weren’t many of them. There are stupid people everywhere… I hope this changes bit by bit.”

Williams scored after the abuse and celebrated by pointing to his arm in reference to his skin colour.

“(The celebration) was with a bit of anger, it’s not normal to be insulted for the colour of your skin,” he added.

Spanish football has suffered a spate of racist incidents in recent years, many of which have been aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

The Brazil international earned global support after facing off with a fan who was abusing him last year at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium, which also faced subsequent partial closure.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The racism problem that has blighted Spanish football

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