Hector Bellerin: Football Players Are Intimidated Into Shying Away From Social Issues

Hector Bellerin says there’s a silent code which expects football players to stick to their profession…

Hector Bellerin, a player who continues to move the needle in challenging the many stereotypes regarding footballer’s off-field activities, has spoken about the silent code which prevents players from addressing social issues.

Speaking to the Arsenal magazine, Bellerin said professional players are often fearful of receiving backlash if they even attempt to discuss topics away from football.

The Catalan-born star has been the exception to the rule and after leading an Oxford Union speech and subsequent Q&A, Bellerin has continued to address a range of issues in his interviews.

He wants us to take a leaf out of America’s book and give athletes the platform to express their opinion in other fields.

“There are all sorts of issues,” Bellerin said when asked why players are reluctant to address social issues.

“I feel like the football industry is an industry where we have to be really quiet and play. I think the code around it is that footballers can’t really do anything else other than kick a ball.

“This is kind of the stereotype, so when there’s a footballer who’s stepping out of the box he’s always seen as someone that is not focused enough on football because he’s doing this, he’s doing that.

“As I always say, we have so much time and we’re humans so we have issues and worries. We should push these things. I think in America they’re more advanced in terms of these things.”

Bellerin’s stance on this issue is admirable, but one fears that if his form continues to stagnate then he will invariably receive backlash for his off-field excursions.