Bale would support walk-off amid racist abuse
Gareth Bale says he would support his Wales team-mates if they decided to walk off the pitch if racist abuse occurred during a game.
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings after England players Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were reportedly racially abused during a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Hungary in Budapest.
Gareth Southgate’s side was also booed from some sections of the crowd inside Puskas Arena while taking the knee prior to kick-off. It went on to win the game 4-0.
Speaking ahead of Wales's qualifier in Belarus on Monday (AEST), Bale feels it is only a matter of time before teams walk off the pitch in response to such abuse, a move he feels would be correct under the circumstances.
"If things don't get sorted, that will happen," the Real Madrid forward said.
"If we felt we weren't getting protection and being treated the right way by the governing bodies and the only way to get the best response was to walk off, I'd be fully for it.
"At the end of the day, it's the right thing to do and it's more important than football.
"We haven't discussed it. But we'd have that discussion if it happened and we'd all agree on it as we're a team that sticks together and if anyone is being targeted, we'll do the right thing."
As for his club career, Bale is back at Madrid after a season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur last term.
He has started all three LaLiga games under Carlo Ancelotti and, while having enjoyed his time back at Spurs, the 32-year-old is delighted to be part of a "better environment" at Los Blancos.
"It is always good to be in a good environment," Bale, who fell out of favour with former Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, said.
"I think the biggest reason why I went to Tottenham was because I knew it would be a better environment for me, a break that maybe I needed at the time.
"I had a great time at Tottenham. It definitely helped me mentally to be back in a happier place. I think that showed again coming back with Wales in the Euros.
"I have brought that into Real Madrid this season, where obviously there is a better environment for myself anyway."