Gareth Bale on racist fans: ban the country from participating in international football

Wales captain Gareth Bale has asked the FIFA to take stern action against those countries, whose fans are repeat racism offenders. The Real Madrid winger suggested that such countries should be banned from international football.

Bale demanded more immediate action after reported abuse towards England’s Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham against Hungary in Budapest on Thursday.

“I don’t know the severity of what to do to but the easiest thing is … whether you ban the fans from the stadium or if they keep repeatedly doing it, which seems to be what is happening, then you ban the country from the competition,” said the 32-year-old.

“If that country keeps making these horrible gestures, then maybe the best thing to do is to get rid of them, give them a suspension and hopefully they will learn their lesson that way.”

Bale added that his players would have his full backing if they chose to walk off in reaction to any racial abuse during the game against Belarus in Kazan.

After facing Belarus, Wales take on Estonia at home on September 8.

FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings in relation to the incidents in Budapest which have been condemned by the Professional Footballers’ Association as well as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The statement from FIFA stopped short of directly condemning Hungary fans for the abuse, which included monkey chanting, in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier at Puskas Arena in Budapest that England won 4-0.

“Following analysis of the match reports, FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings concerning the incidents,” the world governing body said, without specifically referencing discriminatory incidents.

Hungary had recently been ordered to play two matches without fans but the sanction from UEFA didn’t take effect for the visit of England because the game was under FIFA’s jurisdiction. FIFA didn’t explain why it didn’t seek to apply the punishment immediately.

“FIFA would like to state that our position remains firm and resolute in rejecting any form of racism and violence as well as any other form of discrimination or abuse,” FIFA said in a statement. “We have a very clear zero tolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviors in football.”