Real Madrid's Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. Demand Stronger Action Against Racism in La Liga

Jude Bellingham, the England midfielder playing for Real Madrid, has spoken out against the pervasive issue of racism in Spanish football . His comments come after his teammate Aurelien Tchouameni was racially abused by a Mallorca supporter during a recent match. Bellingham expressed his frustration with the normalization of racist abuse, particularly during away games in La Liga.

"Players almost get used to receiving racist abuse when playing away games in Spain, which is a horrible way for a player to prepare for a game," Bellingham said. He called for more action to be taken by those in power to address this problem, stating that "more has got to be done" in terms of punishment and proactive measures.

Vinicius Jr., another Real Madrid player who has been a regular target of racist abuse, recently broke down in tears while discussing his experiences. The Brazilian star has faced numerous instances of racism, with 10 reported incidents to La Liga prosecutors. Vinicius Jr. said the abuse makes him feel less and less like playing, but he has vowed to stay in Spain as he does not want to give the racists what they want.

Why this matters: The ongoing issue of racism in Spanish football highlights the urgent need for stronger action from authorities and football governing bodies. The emotional and psychological impact on players like Vinicius Jr. and others highlights the importance of creating a more inclusive and respectful environment within the sport.

Bellingham sympathized with Vinicius Jr., emphasizing that players like him should be supported and that the game would miss them if they decided to take a break due to such incidents. "The blame is often shifted onto Vinicius due to his playing style and self-expression, and I warned that the game would miss players like him if he decided to take a break because of the ongoing racism," Bellingham said.

In a recent incident, Mallorca publicly condemned the racist gesture towards Tchouameni and said they are working with police to identify the culprit. However, Bellingham believes the authorities will not do enough to address the problem, expressing doubt that significant change will happen. "I doubt that will happen," he said regarding the prospects for stronger action against racism in football.

Key Takeaways

• Jude Bellingham speaks out against racism in Spanish football, citing abuse of teammates.
• Vinicius Jr. has faced numerous racist incidents, with 10 reported to La Liga prosecutors.
• Bellingham doubts authorities will take significant action to address the problem of racism.
• Racist abuse has an emotional and psychological impact on players, who feel less inclined to play.
• The article highlights the urgent need for stronger action from authorities to create a more inclusive environment.