Racist abuse targeting black English players denounced by Britons Boris Johnson, FA and Prince William

[ad_1]

Top line

British politicians and football officials condemned racist abuse against a number of English footballers on Sunday after the team lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties after a day of unrest as rowdy crowds gathered in London and across England to watch the game.

England player Marcus Rashford kneels against racism at the end of the English Premier League … [+] football match

POOL / AFP via Getty Images Highlights

Torrents of racist abuse were directed against three Black England players Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, after the trio failed to score penalties in the penalty shootout on Sunday night.

The Englands Football Association condemned the abuse and said it was appalled by the online racism that targeted some of our English players on social media.

Echoing the sentiment of the FA, the England team released a statement saying they are disgusted that some of our squad who gave their all for the shirt this summer suffered discriminatory abuse online after the tonight.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also backed the team, saying they deserve to be hailed as heroes, not racist abuse on social media.

The Metropolitan Police said the racist abuse is unacceptable, will not be tolerated and will be investigated.

The force said it made 49 arrests during match day and 19 officers were injured in clashes with volatile crowds, including those who broke into London’s Wembley Stadium, where the match took place, ransacked Leicester Square, threw bottles and set off flares. in the street.

Crucial quote

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said there was absolutely no room for racism in football or elsewhere. Khan called on social media companies to act immediately to eliminate and prevent this hatred.

What to watch out for

British politicians from all political backgrounds have said the online abuse underscores the need for stricter regulation for social media companies.

Key context

English football players have been kneeling before matches for a year in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The practice, which led to boos from the crowds, continued for Euro 2020 matches. England players’ Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was disgusted by the vile abuse racists to which English players who have given so much for our country this summer have been subjected on social networks. In June, Patel defended fans’ right to boo English players for taking the knee in protest against racism, describing it as gestural politics. During the tournament, fans and politicians were quick to accuse Patel of hypocrisy by showing his support for the team. English football clubs, players and organizations have already orchestrated social media boycotts to protest the abuse players face. Rashford has been open about the racist abuse he faces on social media, which he has previously reported to police.

Further reading

FA condemns racist abuse against players after England final defeat at Euro 2020 (Reuters)

[ad_2]