Jude Bellingham wants ‘more extreme consequences’ for fans who racially abuse players

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said players should have greater involvement in how decisions are made to tackle racism in soccer.

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said players should have greater involvement in how decisions are made to tackle racism in soccer. Speaking to CNN’s Amanda Davies after winning the Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award on Monday, the 20-year-old midfielder said he wanted to see tougher punishments for fans who direct racist abuse at players in the stadium. Bellingham has used his platform to speak out on the matter throughout his short career, most recently calling for more support from soccer’s governing bodies after Madrid teammate Vinícius Júnior was the subject of yet more racist abuse. “I do think there’s got to be more extreme consequences,” said Bellingham. “I think that’s the best way to try and stop people from doing it in the future,” he added. “What would be interesting is having the players involved. The players are the ones who are having to experience it, not these people in charge of the game. “So if they really want to know what they think is fair or if they are confused, there are players all over Spain and all over the world that they can speak to, and I’ll tell them to take advantage of that,” added Bellingham, who told CNN in 2022 that he questioned whether authorities cared about racist abuse directed at Black players.