England’s defeat of Italy in the 2020 European Cup sparked racism against black players

• The black player who missed the last penalty was abused online
• The police launched an investigation
• Ministers condemned the abuse and faced false accusations

London: After losing in the Euro 2020 final, the British players who missed their penalties faced a storm of online racist abuse, which caused widespread condemnation from team managers, royals, religious leaders and politicians.

23-year-old Marcus Rashford, 21-year-old Jaden Sancho and 19-year-old Bucayo Saka became targets of abuse after missing a penalty in a penalty shoot-out against Italy. The penalty shootout ended Sunday’s final with a 1-1 draw.

These comments triggered police investigations and widespread condemnation, although critics accused some ministers of hypocrisy because they refused to support the players’ high-profile anti-racist stance during the game.

“It is unforgivable for some of them to be abused,” England coach Gareth Southgate said in a press conference. “I know that many of them come from abroad. People who track these things can explain this, but not all of them.”

The England team has won praise for its anti-racism stance, and many players have also campaigned for other social causes. The multi-racial composition of the team is hailed as reflecting a more diverse modern Britain.

The team knelt on one knee before all games, emphasizing the issue of racism-American football player Colin Kaepernick protested, followed by last year’s “Black People’s Fate” campaign-saying This is a simple manifestation of solidarity against racial discrimination.

However, some fans sneered at this gesture, and critics saw it as an expression of sympathy for the politicization of sports and far-left politics.

Some ministers have been accused of hypocrisy because they refuse to criticize those boos and use them as part of a broader “cultural war”, often portrayed as a rift between those who wish to protect British heritage from “sober” youth. See their elders as an action to stop racial and social injustice.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter: “This England team should be praised as a hero, not racially discriminated against on social media.” “Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves. “

Although Johnson himself stated that the team should not be booed, his own spokesperson initially refused to criticize the fans on this issue when asked last month.

disgust

Interior Minister Priti Patel also stated that she does not support players kneeling because this is “gestural politics” and fans can choose whether to boo the players. On Monday, she joined the ranks of condemning the abuse.

The opposition Labor Party claimed that Johnson and Patel were guilty of hypocrisy.

The leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, said: “The actions of the leader, the words of the leader, and the inaction of the leader will have consequences.” “The Prime Minister did not boo, so what he said today sounds like nothing. It’s empty.”

Although the players’ social media also showed the fans’ great support and gratitude for the game, this abuse masked the positive message.

Canterbury Archbishop Justin Welby said that those who abused players must be held accountable, and British Football Association President Prince William said he felt sick.

Queen Elizabeth’s grandson said: “It is totally unacceptable for players to have to endure such abominable behavior.”

The Football Association stated that it would not welcome fans who exhibited such “disgusting behavior”, and European football governing body UEFA also called for the most severe punishment.

The London police stated that the officers had learned of these offensive and racist remarks and would take action. A mural in Rashford was also abused, and he provided more support to underprivileged children during the pandemic.

A member of Prime Minister Johnson’s Conservative Party also apologized in a private message, in which she suggested that Rashford should spend more time on perfecting his game instead of “playing with politics” and making it public.

The problem of online player abuse has led the British football authorities to briefly boycott social media platforms before the game, and the UK is planning legislation to force technology companies to do more.

A Twitter spokesperson said that they have deleted more than 1,000 tweets and permanently suspended multiple accounts, while Facebook said it has also quickly deleted abusive comments and said players can open a tool, which means they can avoid seeing Offensive information.

“Social media companies…can no longer ignore some of the appalling vile, racist, violent and hateful content that appears on their platforms,” ​​Minister Patel told Parliament. “We have always been very clear…If they don’t eliminate this, we will take action against them.”