Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham emphasized the need for increased player participation in shaping strategies to combat racism in football.
In a conversation with CNN's Amanda Davies following his Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year triumph on Monday, the 20-year-old midfield maestro underscored his call for stricter penalties against fans who unleash racist tirades at players during matches.
Throughout his burgeoning career, Bellingham has consistently used his platform to advocate for change on this issue, recently amplifying his voice after witnessing his Madrid colleague Vinícius Júnior endure further racial abuse.
"I firmly believe there should be harsher repercussions," Bellingham asserted. "I view it as the most effective means to deter such behavior in the future," he continued.
"It would be beneficial to engage the players in this dialogue. They are the ones directly impacted by it, not the individuals governing the sport.
"So, if there's genuine interest in understanding what's equitable or if there's any confusion, players across Spain and worldwide are available for consultation. I encourage them to seize this opportunity," added Bellingham, who previously expressed doubts to CNN in 2022 about authorities' commitment to combating racial abuse against Black players.
‘It shouldn’t be happening’
Earlier this year, Brazilian sensation Vinícius Jr. found himself overwhelmed with emotion during a press conference as he recounted his encounters with racial abuse while representing Real Madrid in Spain.
The 23-year-old Brazilian has endured instances of racism from opposing fans on numerous occasions, such as the distressing sight of an effigy depicting him being hung from a bridge ahead of a match against city rivals Atlético Madrid in January 2023, along with persistent racial taunts during a game against Valencia later that same year.
Instances of racist language have also been captured on camera during Madrid's matches against Osasuna, Mallorca, Real Valladolid, and Atlético.
"I just want to focus on playing football, but it's becoming increasingly difficult... I'm starting to lose the desire to play," Vinícius emotionally shared with reporters earlier this year.
Bellingham recognizes that addressing these issues shouldn't solely rest on the shoulders of players, but he remains committed to raising awareness to push the game's governing bodies into action.
"We can all express our desire for change, but I believe we can unite, irrespective of our skin color, to eradicate this because ultimately, we're all on the same side and we all find it abhorrent," expressed Bellingham.
"It's unacceptable. So, I eagerly await seeing how those in authority involve players in the process of preventing such incidents in the future."
CNN has contacted La Liga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for their responses.
In 2023, La Liga informed CNN Sport that it lacks the authority to mete out penalties to clubs or fans directly. Instead, it must report incidents to RFEF committees or regional prosecutors, who handle them as legal matters before any sporting sanctions are applied.
FIFA, the global governing body of soccer, reiterated its commitment to combating racism to CNN and confirmed that the issue will be a key agenda item at the FIFA Congress in May.
"The 74th FIFA Congress will represent a pivotal moment in FIFA's ongoing efforts to combat racism, with the introduction of new and stricter measures to be implemented worldwide in collaboration with all our member associations and confederations," stated FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
CNN has also reached out to UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, for their input. The organization has consistently condemned racism publicly and has initiated numerous campaigns to address the issue.
Real Madrid superstar
Bellingham has thrived since making the switch to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund at the beginning of the season, adapting much faster than many anticipated.
The weight of representing arguably the most renowned team in global football appears to have spurred the youngster on to elevate his performance, and he's now recognized as one of the premier players in the world.
"I'd say Madrid has really become like a second home to me. I feel a genuine connection with the fans and the community. So, yeah, I'm really content," he expressed.
The midfielder recently netted the decisive goal in Madrid's contentious El Clásico triumph on Sunday – the latest in a string of game-changing moments that have defined his time at the Spanish powerhouse.
There remains a possibility that Bellingham could clinch both the league title and Champions League trophy in his inaugural season with the club, a testament to his impact on the team.
Beyond his club duties, Bellingham is poised to play a crucial role for England in the upcoming European Championships later this year.
Gareth Southgate's squad is among the frontrunners to claim the title, and Bellingham is resolute in his determination to surpass England's runner-up finish at Euro 2020.
"I'm feeling very optimistic. A lot of the guys are in stellar form, and we boast a wealth of talent with a great blend of experience and youth," he remarked.
"We need to carry the confidence from the previous tournaments into this one and hopefully achieve an even better result."
