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RACISM

Bellingham ‘used to’ racist abuse in Spain as calls for action fall on deaf ears

Jude Bellingham said he and his Real Madrid teammates have become accustomed to dealing with racist abuse at away grounds in Spain, but the England international does not believe the authorities will do enough to quell the problem.

Bellingham 'used to' racist abuse in Spain as calls for action fall on deaf ears
Real Madrid's English midfielder #5 Jude Bellingham reacts at the end of the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)

A racist gesture was made towards France’s Aurelien Tchouameni after he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Real Mallorca on Saturday.

Brazilian star Vinicius Junior has been a repeated target of racial abuse and Bellingham said he and his teammates were “used to” have to deal with “horrible” treatment.

“I think in the games where we go away in La Liga especially, you almost get so used to it,” said Bellingham at a pre-match press conference ahead of Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final, second leg away to Manchester City.

“I think it’s a horrible way for a player to have to prepare for a game knowing that they’re probably going to get racially abused. It’s disgusting. It shouldn’t happen. The people in power need to do more.”

Mallorca publicly condemned the gesture and said they are working with police to identify the culprit.

Bellingham said he had not even been aware of the incident, racist abuse is so frequent.

“It’s definitely a call out for the people who are in charge to take control,” he added.

“I doubt that will happen and it’s going to be something that I imagine we will still have to just deal with going into games.”

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SPORT

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 Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium in Spain’s top flight on Saturday.

“(Atlético 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 Atlético’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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