Liverpool star Gini Wijnaldum has said that he’s willing to walk off any pitch, if he’s ever subjected to any racist abuse, and has encouraged others to do the same.
The midfielder recently took a stance against the ongoing racist abuse that footballers are subjected to, during a goal celebration with Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
He stood alongside his team-mate and pointed at both of their arms, in a gesture that basically said ‘we are the same’.
Gini rightly received plaudits for the message he sent out, with the help of de Jong, and now he’s taken an even stronger stance against racism by saying he’d leave the pitch if he hears anything.
In recent weeks alone, we’ve seen Romelu Lukaku, Mario Balotelli and Taison – just to name a few – getting emotional about the abuse they endured during games.
Balotelli was encouraged to get on with the game when he threatened to walk off, but Gini wasn’t happy with that. “It frustrates me a lot to see that because you don’t know what he’s feeling.
“Why don’t you support him and just walk with him from the pitch? They don’t feel the pain like the person who gets racial abuse.”
It’s disgusting, and certainly has no place in society, never mind the beautiful game, and I’m proud of Wijnaldum for saying he’s ready to walk off the pitch in retaliation to any racist abuse he hears – and all the power to him!
I hope his Liverpool or Netherlands team-mates follow him off, if it ever happens. It’s a shame it’s coming to this, but I’m glad high profile people like Gini are talking about it and helping to tackle it.