Georginio Wijnaldum has admitted that he could leave the field if he or his Dutch teammates are subjected to racial abuse during their European Championship 2020 round 16 match with the Czech Republic.
The two will meet at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Sunday, just days after local Hungarian fans unveiled a banner before France’s match with Portugal demanding that players stop kneeling before matches.
It has been condemned for the actions of these supporters, with Wijnaldum now acknowledging that although it is not necessarily something to kneel, the players must do, he can leave the pitch if he and his Dutch teammates are abused and they decide it is the right course of action.
“UEFA should be there to protect the players and make the decision,” Wijnaldum said when asked how he would react, quoted by ESPN. “It should not be left to the players. Players are often punished for protecting themselves so UEFA must take a leading role in this. I have said that I do not really know how I will react in such a situation.
“I thought at first I would get off the field but maybe not now because maybe the opponent will think ‘let them throw racist slurs and they will leave the field’. It may be that I will go off the field but I will to talk to the players about it first. “
Georginio Wijnaldum has spoken before his side’s conflict with the Czech Republic / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Wijnaldum also revealed that he will wear the rainbow – colored captain’s bracelet in an attempt to promote equality in the game and society, despite seeing Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer investigated by UEFA to promote Gay Pride Month. He was then cleared of all faults.
“It’s not just against Hungary,” Wijnaldum continued. “The bracelet means a lot because we stand for diversity, a love means that everyone is a part of it and everyone should be free to be who they are.
“In our opinion [the right to be yourself] has been violated. As players, we have a podium to do what we can to help. “
France supporters at Puskas Arena / BERNADETT SZABO / Getty Images
The subject of discrimination in Hungary has dominated recent headlines after Parliament passed legislation banning schools or television programs from showing educational material to people aged 18 or under that could promote homosexuality or gender reassignment.
Images circulated on social media also showed banners at Puskas Arena ahead of France’s collision with Portugal that showed the message “Anti-LMBTQ” – Hungary’s abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.
