BY AGENCY REPORTER
Scores of England’s fans who supported the country during the European tournament have turned their back against the black players when Italy defeated England 3 goals to 2 via penalty shoot out,
The fans heaped the blame for their defeat on the doorstep of the black players, especially those who missed their sports kick that landed England missing their chance of grabbing a converted cup of decades.
Subsequently, the fans took to social media lambasting the black players for the colour of their skin that earned them bad luck.
The racist abuse online has prompted the English Football Association to issue a statement condemning the language used against the players.
Recall that Bukayo Saka, at 19 one of the youngest players on the England squad, missed the penalty that gave the title to Italy and denied England its first international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
It was England’s third straight failure from the penalty spot in the shootout, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho also missing.
READ ALSO: Italy beat England 3-2 on penalties, crown European’s champions
The FA said in a statement it was “appalled” by the abuse of the three players. The team had taken a knee before games at the Euros to signal its support for an end to racial inequality, and the young, multi-ethnic squad won the hearts of the soccer-mad country before the shootout failure brought out all-too-familiar messages of hate.
“We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible,” the FA statement said. “We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore the government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real-life consequences.”
London’s Metropolitan Police also said it was investigating “offensive and racist” messages on social media.
Rashford, who plays for Manchester United, noted the racial abuse he received on social media in May after the team lost the Europa League final.
England coach Gareth Southgate was criticized for his strategy of bringing in Rashford and Sancho off the bench to take penalties while star Raheem Sterling was sidelined in the shootout.
“They were the best takers we had left on the pitch,” Southgate said. “We win and lose together.”
AP
