The Netherlands captain has called on Europe’s highest governing body UEFA to actually protect the players in cases of racial abuse. On Thursday, Wijnaldum said that players shouldn’t be in a position where they have to think of repercussions if they decide to leave the pitch after suffering racial abuse and that UEFA needs to take a stronger action against racism.
The midfielder further revealed that he had put a lot of thought into it but is still unsure whether he would leave the pitch when his side takes on Czech Republic at the Puskas Arena in Budapest in the Round of 16 stage of Euro 2020.
I’ve thought about it very carefully. I previously indicated that I would walk off, but that was easier to say back then, because I had never really run into that problem.
Georginio Wijnaldum told a news conference.
After that I started to think very hard about it. ‘Gini, you will play in Hungary later in the tournament, what will you do if it happens? What if you play against a weaker team and those fans know that and they antagonise you to get you to walk off the field so that you lose the match?’
Wijnaldum further added that even though he has not experienced racial abuse on the pitch, UEFA need to back the players strongly when such incidents take place. The responsibility for action lay with the match officials and UEFA.
I think I will I go to the referee but, to be honest, I’m not sure what my reaction is going to be in the heat of the moment.
I’ve never experienced it myself and I hope never to. But if it happens, UEFA must act. They need to realise that if they don’t, they are putting a big responsibility on the players.
Despite its obvious on-the-headlines campaign against racism using slogans and adverts before Champions League matches, many people have been critical of UEFA’s actual battle against racial abuse. Beyond the lip service and virtue signalling, UEFA has failed to protect the players who have walked off the pitch in defiance after suffering racial abuse.
UEFA are currently investigating alleged racial incidents at the Puskas Arena in Hungary, where France’s star forward Kylian Mbappe has been reported as the victim in the 1-1 draw with Hungary.
UEFA must protect the players. It shouldn’t be the responsibility of the players.
Wijnaldum added.
Some players have walked off in the past but if you ask them if they felt supported, I think they’ll say they weren’t.
If the referee, or maybe the opponents, jump in, then the signal is stronger. That’s what I’m thinking right now but I’m not ruling out walking off the field if something like that happens on Sunday.
concluded Wijnaldum.
Meanwhile, heading into their RO16 match against the Czech Republic, Dutch manager Frank de Boer will have a problem to solve. Young PSV Eindhoven forward Donyell Malen was sensational in the Netherlands’ final group stage fixture against North Macedonia.
This has fuelled the debate once again on who should partner Memphis Depay in attack for the Dutch side. Despite not getting on the scoresheet against North Macedonia, Malen had a heavy hand in all three goals scored by his side and formed an excellent duo with new Barcelona forward Depay. As a result, former Dutch forward Roy Makaay wants the young Malen to start over Wout Weghorst in Netherlands’ knockout fixtures.
In the second round I would always start Malen and not with Weghorst.
ex-Netherlands striker Roy Makaay told De Telegraaf.
With the Malen-Depay duo [in attack], the national team’s game has much more variety. It has already been seen against North Macedonia.
If Depay features as a forward, Malen starts from the left and vice versa. The Netherlands were much more difficult to defend [against North Macedonia] than in the previous duels.
Makaay concluded.
