Overview
- Speaking on The Overlap and Stick to Football, Wright said some coverage of Bellingham is racially driven and declared that “they aren’t ready for a black superstar.”
- Wright rejected reports that Bellingham refused to celebrate a goal as a fabrication, insisting the story was untrue.
- He accused an unnamed journalist of racist motives and used an explicit racial slur while describing the attitude he believes underpins the criticism.
- England manager Thomas Tuchel said Bellingham’s reaction to being substituted will be reviewed privately and stressed that team behavior standards apply to everyone.
- Gary Neville referenced Raheem Sterling’s past claims of unfair media treatment, while Rio Ferdinand said anger at a substitution is normal, as Bellingham returned in November and was taken off late in the 2-0 win over Albania.