GINI’S CRUSADE
Wijnaldum on mission to rid game of bigots
GINI WIJNALDUM is fully focused on helping Liverpool win the Premier League title this season.
But, away from football, Jurgen Klopp’s energetic midfielder has another goal – tackling racism in the game.
Normally softly spoken, the 29-year-old Holland star raised his voice to speak out after a depressing week of racism in Dutch football.
First, there was the Hitler sign from a fan and the shocking abuse against black player Ahmad Moreira in a football stadium in Wijnaldum’s home city of Rotterdam.
Wijnaldum vowed to show his support for Moreira when he scored for Holland in his next international game and he kept his promise in his hat-trick against Estonia.
After his first goal, he stood next to Barcelona and
Holland team-mate Frenkie de Jong. De Jong rolled up a sleeve and they stood, black arm alongside white arm, united.
Wijnaldum had already called for action against racist abuse and vowed he would walk off the pitch if he was ever a victim.
While sitting next to Holland manager Ronald Koeman, Wijnaldum asked players to take a stand. They responded as one and on the following weekend every game in the top two divisions in the Netherlands started with all 22 players refusing to play football for a full minute after kick-off.
But Wijnaldum was again shocked when former Holland international Marco van Basten made a “Sieg Heil” remark, associated with Nazi rallies, while working on Dutch television. Van Basten (above) immediately apologised for his “bad joke”.
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner has been suspended for one week by
Fox Sports and his wages will be donated to the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation.
Wijnaldum has been quick to respond to racism. He said: “I felt we had to do something with the national team first. We don’t think in colours, we don’t see different colours. We have a very multicultural thing. The same at my club.
“It is incredible that we see these things in Holland.’’
Wijnaldum has experienced racism in the past. “Yes absolutely. They have a Santa Claus festive thing, where Santa has ‘Black Petes’ as his helpers, who bring the presents to the homes of the kids through the chimney. People say it is a festivity for the children when they talk about ‘Black Pete’. No!
“Nobody can explain to me why this is not racism. People tell me it is an old tradition. But when the kids get dressed up for this ‘Black Pete’ thing at school, they tell my nephew, ‘We don’t have to put the black make-up on your face, because you are black anyway’.”
And Wijnaldum recalls personal abuse. He said: “The first time? When Memphis Depay took a selfie for social media with the lads in the national team.’’
The picture of nine black Holland players, drew shocking comments referring to Santa’s ‘Black Petes’.
He continued: “People have shouted things to me when I am out and about in town. There have been moments when I thought, ‘How on earth does it get in your mind to hurl that kind of abuse at me? In England, that has never happened to me.’’
“In England, I only see it on social media from time to time. Not in the stadiums in the Premier League.’’
Wijnaldum says he does not often use his status to make his point.
But, having won the Champions League, being captain of Holland when Virgil van Dijk is not playing, and being top of the Premier League with Liverpool, means he can use his stature as a platform to highlight the scourge of racism.
But, returning to the game, Wijnaldum must maintain his focus and winning the league title will not be easy. He said: “It is tough to keep going and the fighting spirit from the other clubs is massive. Don’t forget I saw the other side when I was playing for Newcastle United.
“It is typical of British football. No matter which team, they always feel there is a chance to upset a big club.’’
Wijnaldum is in the midst of the most exciting 12 months of his career so far, winning the Champions League and reaching the Nations League final with Holland.
Next May, he hopes to lift the Premier League trophy and next June there is the Euro 2020 finals.
His influence will be felt on, as well as off, the pitch.