Football pundit and former premier league legend has created a media storm in leaping to the defence of England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. The catalyst was the midfielder’s apparent frustration at being substituted in a recent England game against Albania that ignited a barrage from the pundit class as well as the England head coach who’d previously canvassed the views of his mother in criticism of him. (1)
In response Wright said:
“I’m worried for Jude simply because he’s somebody that they [the media] can’t control. He’s showing people that I’m here, I’m black, I’m proud, I’m ready to go… I don’t think they’re ready for a black superstar, who can move like Jude is moving. They can’t touch him. He goes out there, he performs, he does what he does, he says ‘who else?’” (2)
Wright’s comments tap into a widely held community sentiment that Afrikan footballers, particularly those in the upper echelons, suffer undue criticism from the UK media. Raheem Sterling, for example was berated for a number of non-footballing reasons, including some that white players were praised for doing the exact same thing. Marcus Rashford also found himself in the firing line for, of all things, wanting to free school meals for children during the holidays. (3)
Voice Online journalist Richard Sudan summed it up thusly:
“Wright nailed it. None of this crap about Bellingham in the media is really about football. It’s about the fact that white society has always had a problem with Black confidence and excellence.
It’s always had a problem with “uppity” Black men (and women) who refuse to be docile and fit a stereotype that White people are comfortable with.” (4)
But there are suggestions that Ian Wright may not be the right messenger for this message. Although prepared to stand on business for the likes of Jude Bellingham, he refused to extend the same for Eni Aluko, whom it should be remembered had the weight of Football Association racism on her head, when he refused to accept her apology after she was arguably baited in an interview when his name was needlessly brought up by the interviewer. (5)
Another issue is what is the meaning of “Black Superstar” from a cohort (Black UK footballers) so often notoriously estranged from the Black community – personally and professionally. The likes of Raheem Sterling and Jason Roberts being notable exceptions. Outside of football, Lewis Hamilton, undoubtedly a Formula One superstar, is a public supporter of Black Lives Matter and the Sistah Space charity. (6)
Jude Bellingham is merely the latest recipient of an antagonistic media eco-system that generations of Union Jack flag waving Black Brits have been unable to satisfy. Perhaps non-participation will bring it to heel. (7)
(1) Jon Harland (20/11/25) England: How Jude Bellingham substitution sparked needless fallout. https://hounslowherald.com/england-how-jude-bellingham-substitution-sparked-needless-fallout-p29672-308.htm; Archie Griggs (17/11/25) Jude Bellingham broke rank with latest England outburst – he could blow up World Cup dream. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2134740/Jude-Bellingham-England-World-Cup. England. Head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed that his mother found Bellingham’s on-pitch behaviour to be ‘repulsive’ at times.
(2) Flo Clifford (20/11/25) Ian Wright believes England is ‘not ready for black superstar’ after Jude Bellingham criticism. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/sport/football/2025/11/21/ian-was-right-keep-defending-jude-and-our-other-black-lions/; Sally Weale and Richard Adams (21/10/20) Marcus Rashford in ‘despair’ as MPs reject free school meal plan. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/oct/21/marcus-rashford-in-despair-as-mps-reject-free-school-meal-plan
(3) Richard Sudan (21/11/25) Ian was right! Keep defending Jude and our other Black Lions. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy1wn1x521o; Chávez Alava. Op. cit.
(4) Sudan. Op. Cit.
(5) amie Braidwood (04/07/25) What did Eni Aluko say about Ian Wright? ITV’s Euro 2025 pundit controversy explained. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/eni-aluko-ian-wright-pundit-euro-2025-womens-b2782566.html; Chris Cutmore (19/10/17) David James deletes tweets about Eni Aluko after Stormzy launches scathing attack, calling ex-England keeper a ‘d*‘ and an ‘absolute chief’. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4993622/James-deletes-tweets-Aluko-Stormzy-attack.html#ixzz4w2TX3xzG
(6) Joshua Brown (14/08/17) Black Love within English Football: Does it exist? https://themovehubdotcom.wordpress.com/2017/08/14/black-love-within-english-football-does-it-exist/; Habeeb Akande (26/03/19) Black Footballers, White Wives – What’s The Big Deal? – UK Research Article. https://rabaah.com/black-footballers-white-wives-in-the-uk.html; Rodney Hinds (21/03/23) Jason Roberts Foundation inspiring to achieve. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/community/2023/03/21/jason-roberts-foundation-inspiring-to-achieve/; BBC News (26/12/20) Lewis Hamilton says Black Lives Matter gave him ‘extra drive’ in 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/55452464; Leah Mahon (30/03/23) Why Valerie Forde matters. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/opinion/comment/2023/03/30/why-valerie-forde-matters/
(7) Dr Rakib Ehsan (10/07/23) The patriotism of ethnic-minority Britain. https://historyreclaimed.co.uk/the-patriotism-of-ethnic-minority-britain/
we ask the question:
Is UK “not ready” for a “Black Superstar”?
1) Does white society have “a problem with Black confidence and excellence”?
2) Is Ian Wright the right messenger?
3) Should we defend stars that don’t engage with the community?
4) Should we demand non-participation until due respect is afforded?
Our Special Guest:
Bro. Eneka Quamina: is activist, organiser and journalist. He is the founder of Neeks Sports, an online platform covering all sports stories and opinions, and more importantly, getting the reaction from the fans and public in general. Bro. Eneka is the sports director of the Pan-Afrikan Sports and Culture and was formerly the sports editor of The Whirlwind newspaper.
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