Gareth Bale believes that banning teams is the ‘best thing to do’ in the face of fan bigotry
Image credit: The Independent
Gareth Bale, the captain of Wales, believes that barring teams from competitions if their fans continue to racially harass players is the “best thing to do.”
On Thursday, Hungary fans targeted England players, prompting Fifa to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
Bale has urged harsh punishment when teams are found guilty, and has stated that if a teammate is racially harassed, he would be willing to leave the field.
“Action must be taken to put an end to it,” the Real Madrid attacker stated.
“I believe it immediately kicks it out.” If that country continues to make these heinous gestures, perhaps the best thing to do is to expel them, suspend them, and hope that they will learn their lesson that way. “
During England’s 4-0 win over Hungary in a World Cup qualifier in Budapest on Thursday, Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were racially harassed.
During England’s 4-0 win over Hungary in a World Cup qualifier in Budapest on Thursday, Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were racially harassed.
The visitors were also assaulted with objects in the second half, and the home fans threw a flare onto the pitch.
The abuse was described as “totally unacceptable” by England, and Fifa, the world governing body of football, announced on Friday that disciplinary proceedings had been initiated “after review of the match reports.”
“It’s aggravating,” Bale said. “I’m not sure why they initiate these lengthy inquiries.” It’s easy to see. “ I’m not sure why such a thorough examination is required. It is undeniable that it occurred. “
After his Wales teammates Ben Cabango and Rabbi Makonde were racially attacked on Instagram earlier this year, Bale threatened to abandon social media if more was not done to prevent “toxic” abuse.
He also stated that if players were racially assaulted during a game, he would back them walking off the field.
“I’d be completely in favour of it,” he stated. “Football qualifiers are essential, but these issues are far more important than football.”
“If that happened to any of us and we decided to leave the pitch because we didn’t believe we were being protected or treated fairly – if walking off was the only way to get a response – then, absolutely, I’d be entirely supportive.”