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.
Who is Jacob Zuma, the former South African president disqualified from next week's election?
Mary J. Blige enlists Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin and more for women's summit in New York
Halle Berry shouts from the Capitol, 'I'm in menopause' as she seeks to end a stigma
Incredible moment paddleboarder has very close encounter with pod of curious orcas off Alaska coast
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University
Rita Ora shows off her quirky sense of fashion in a pair of kooky safety goggle
Colombia breaks diplomatic ties with Israel but its military relies on key Israeli
Bella Hadid goes braless in a thigh
Tottenham's Champions League hopes hit further by 2