According to Diario Sport, Real Betis player Hector Bellerin spoke about the social significance of football in an interview, arguing that it should not be solely linked to winning, losing, or commercial success.
In an interview with Cardinal Serge, Bellerin stated that football reflects social realities off the field. He said that football has always been a mirror of society. Based on this, he believes that the stadium reflects the tensions, prejudices, and power structures in society, so he is not surprised to see misogic, homophobic, or racist slogans in the stands.
In his view, the key is not to normalize these behaviors. His stance isn't just about addressing isolated incidents, but rather pointing out that the real problem isn't just the existence of these statements, but the tolerance of them on the field, as if everything is acceptable in the world of football. Bellerin believes that sport should take a step forward in this regard.
Bellerin believes that football, if used responsibly, can be a force for social change. He sees football as a space with enormous influence because it reaches millions of people, especially shaping the minds of young people.
In this context, his words carry even more weight: he said that football is a social tool for progress. He didn't treat this as an empty slogan, but rather as a shared responsibility of clubs, fans, and players. Given that the sport attracts so much money and attention, it should also drive more awareness-driven change.
In the interview, Bellerin also discussed the issue of equal pay for male and female football players. He stated, "What I know, what I hope for, and what is the fairest thing is for everyone to receive the same salary, to be of the same profession, to enjoy the same rights, and to truly achieve equality."
Furthermore, he expressed his dissatisfaction with Luis Rubiales's actions in the Women's World Cup final. He stated that such behavior—disrespectful to national representatives, vulgar conduct, misrepresentation of the victim's story, shifting blame onto the other side, and then feigning victimhood afterward—cannot go unpunished.
The Betis player also focused on the pressures faced by men who don't conform to traditional masculinity. He explained that some men try to find a comfortable place outside of traditional, domineering masculinity, but the ridicule and rejection remain too heavy. This view aligns with his overall criticism of misogyny and homophobia in sports.
