It hasn't taken Jude Bellingham long to realize how big a problem racism is in Spanish soccer
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Jude Bellingham spoke Tuesday about the “disgusting” level of racism in Spanish soccer and called for action so that Real Madrid teammate Vinícius Junior isn’t driven out of the sport in the face of persistent abuse.
Brazil winger Vinícius has repeatedly been the target of racial insults from opposition fans and last month said he was losing his desire to carry on playing.
Bellingham said he doubted whether soccer’s authorities would be able to stamp out racism in the sport after a Mallorca supporter was caught on camera over the weekend making monkey gestures following a goal from Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouaméni.
“The people in power need to do more, especially with Vini in the recent weeks — well, years actually,” he said ahead of Madrid’s Champions League quarterfinals second-leg match against Manchester City. “I think the blame gets shifted more onto him because of maybe his playing style and the way he likes to express himself and I don’t think that’s fair.