Jude Bellingham targeted by disgusting racist abuse on social media
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund bound Jude Bellingham was racially abused on social media following his final game for Birmingham City.
A tweet shared by a Manchester United fan on Wednesday evening called Jude Bellingham an “overrated talent” and said “black people only think about money”. The since deleted tweet was shared by the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who called the abuse “disgusting”.
Bellingham also said on Instagram, “To not rate me as a player or even dislike me as a person is fine with me. But how someone can use my race and disgraceful stereotypes to criticise a decision I’ve made for my career is beyond me. Times have to change, more has to be done!
— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) July 22, 2020
The matter is now being investigated by the West Midlands Police, and Birmingham City have described the abuse as “appalling”.
Manchester United were heavily interested in signing Bellingham, but the 17 year old rejected their interest to join Borussia Dortmund.
He played his final game with boyhood club Birmingham City on Wednesday, and helped them avoid relegation from the second division of English football. He was overcome with emotion as he came back on to the pitch after the final whistle to say his goodbyes to teammates and staff.
Bellingham leaves Birmingham City on the back of an incredible breakthrough campaign, which saw him become the club’s youngest ever first team player. He went on to become a key part of the team, making a total of 44 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing three assists in the process.
Bellingham will now link up with his Borussia Dortmund teammates next week for pre-season training ahead of the start of the new season in September.
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A number of players in English football, including, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Sheffield United’s David McGoldrick have also highlighted racist abuse that they have received on social media in recent weeks. It is absolutely sickening that racism is still an issue in football, as well as in wider society, even in 2020. Bellingham is absolutely right, more has to be done to kick racism out of football, and quickly.