Jude Bellingham targeted by sick racist after leaving field in tears during final Birmingham game before £30m transfer

Posted Friday, July 24, 2020 by Thesun.co.uk

BORUSSIA DORTMUND wonderkid Jude Bellingham was targeted by a sick racist after playing his final game for Birmingham.

The 17-year-old left St Andrews in tears after representing his boyhood club for a final time in the 3-1 defeat to Derby.

Jude Bellingham targeted by sick racist after leaving field in tears during final Birmingham game before £30m transfer
Jude Bellingham played his final game for Birmingham on Thursday Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Jude Bellingham targeted by sick racist after leaving field in tears during final Birmingham game before £30m transfer
The wonderkid left the field in tears after his last Birmingham game Credit: PA:Press Association

But his farewell appearance was marred by a comment made by a coward on social media that was shared by the teenager alongside the caption: "Disgusting."

It read: "Jude Bellingham the most overrated talent, so useless only think about money.

"He black. Black people only think about money."

Bellingham has shared the information with West Midlands police who confirmed they have launched an investigation to find the culprit.

A reply read: "Hi Jude, thanks for reporting this to us, we are looking into it. PC Colin Barlow will be in touch with you shortly."

An emotional Bellingham sat on the St Andrews turf at the full-time whistle taking in his achievements before embarking on his next journey.

This season he became the youngest player to represent the Blues, youngest ever captain and youngest goalscorer to further emphasise his ability and potential.

It came as no surprise to Birmingham supporters when Dortmund sealed the £30million move ahead of Manchester United.

Bellingham's pay packet also increased from £175-a-week to a whopping £60,000 on a five-year contract.

After the game he took to Twitter to write: "Not the way I wanted to go out.

"Not the way I wanted to go out. Gave everything but wasn’t to be.

"I can’t thank @BCFC and the academy enough for what they’ve done for me over the last 10 years.

"It’s been an absolute pleasure working with all the staff and all my teammates during that period of time and owe them everything for the way they’ve helped me mature as a player and as a person.

"Whatever happens Birmingham City will always be my club and I will always be a blue.

"Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to show my gratitude to the fans, who I’ve build a strong connection with over the past year, but I’m sure they know how much I love them wherever they might be.

"I wish the club nothing but the best for the future. It’s not a goodbye it’s see you later. Keep Right On!"

Meanwhile the racist abuse he received is just the latest in a long line received by footballers across social media.

Last year Twitter vowed to crackdown on racism on their social media platform but it appears they have done little to combat the issue.

Earlier this month a 12-year-old boy was arrested after making a racist comment to Wilfried Zaha on Instagram.

In May, an Irish teenager was questioned by police after Arsenal and Palace legend Ian Wright shared racist abuse he had also suffered over Instagram private messaging.

Not the way I wanted to go out. Gave everything but wasn’t to be. I can’t thank @BCFC and the academy enough for what they’ve done for me over the last 10 years. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with all the staff and all my teammates during that period of time and owe... pic.twitter.com/TUzEbxAAWP
— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) July 23, 2020

with over the past year, but I’m sure they know how much I love them wherever they might be. I wish the club nothing but the best for the future. It’s not a goodbye it’s see you later. Keep Right On!

Jude.💙
— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) July 23, 2020

And Tammy Abraham was targeted with vile online earlier this month after Chelsea's defeat to Sheffield United - amid calls for social media companies to do more to prevent racist messages.

Sheffield United striker David McGoldrick was also subjected to vile racist abuse on social media.

Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku are just two others who have been forced to endure racist abuse on social media.