Racists have bombarded Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jodan Sancho with abhorrent abuse after the trio missed their penalties during tonight’s Euro 2020 final.
The horrific comments have led to the FA condemning its racist fans and saying they are not ‘welcome in following in the team’ and the Metropolitan Police has confirmed its officers will be investigating.
Racist social media users instantly took to the accounts of the three black players who missed penalties in tonight’s clash against Italy.
Amongst a furore of monkey, banana and gorilla emojis from faceless Instagram accounts were some comments with hateful racial slurs.
One user wrote under the latest Instagram picture of Saka, 19: ‘Go back to Nigeria.’ While another said: ‘Get out my country.’
And another wrote: ‘Take banana n****r.’ And another said: ‘It’s coming Rome!!! F****** n****r.’
Racists have bombarded Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jodan Sancho with abhorrent abuse after the trio missed their penalties during tonight’s Euro 2020 final
One user wrote under the latest Instagram picture of Saka (pictured), 19: ‘Go back to Nigeria.’ While another said: ‘Get out my country’
Another user wrote, ‘Foreigners are stupid,’ seemingly choosing to ignore that Saka was born in Ealing, west London.
In response to the deluge of racist comments and FA spokesman made it clear that racists are not wanted in football.
A spokesman said: ‘The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media.
‘We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.
‘We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences.
Another user wrote, ‘Foreigners are stupid,’ seemingly choosing to ignore that Saka was born in Ealing, west London
‘Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse.’
And the Metropolitan Police confirmed they will be investigating the abuse and said: ‘We are aware of a number of offensive and racist social media comments being directed towards footballers following the #Euro2020 final.
‘This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated.’
It was heartbreak for England fans as Gareth Southgate’s brave Three Lions fell to defeat in the Euro 2020 final in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
Earlier in the game, ecstasy had turned to agony for England fans, who endured a nerve-racking finale after Italy equalised to cancel out Luke Shaw’s early opener.
A spokesman said: ‘The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media’
Three Lions fans were in dreamland when Shaw gave England an early lead inside three minutes. But evergreen defender Leonardo Bonucci pegged England back on 67 minutes.
The goal set up a nail-biting finish to the match at Wembley, with the game going down to a much-dreaded penalty shoot-out.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero, saving penalties from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.
Tears flowed along Wembley Way after England’s penalty shootout heartbreak. They were angry scenes to go along with the despair of thousands of fans have been locked out of the stadium made their way home.
Despite two saves by Jordan Pickford, England missed three consecutive penalties crowning Italy champions in front of 60,000 fans at Wembley.
Nineteen-year-old Bukayo Saka is inconsolable after failing to score his penalty kick and handing victory to the Italians
Nineteen-year-old Saka was consoled by Gareth Southgate as penalties came back to haunt the manager who missed his spot kick as a player at the semi-finals of Euro 1996
Nineteen-year-old Saka was consoled by Gareth Southgate as penalties came back to haunt the manager who missed his penalty as a player at the semi-finals of Euro 1996.
In a bitter irony it was the substituted penalty specialists Rashford and Sancho who failed to score before Saka.
But after Luke Shaw’s stunning early goal – the fastest ever in a European final – England’s nerves were shot to pieces after a second half in which the Italians ran them ragged.
They were dealt a hammer blow on the 67th minute as Leonardo Bonucci equalised with a scrappy goal, leaving the Three Lions hanging on to extra time.
A frantic two periods of extra time followed, with both sides capable of seizing victory, before the final whistle and the dreaded spot kicks.
Luke Shaw netted a stunning goal on the break to settle early nerves in front of 60,000 fans as the Three Lions look to secure their first major trophy in 55 years
Marcus Rashford puts his face in his hands after missing his penalty by striking the post
Jadon Sancho puts his head in his hands after he failed to score in the penalty shoot out in tonight’s Euro 2020 final
An estimated 35 million are watching the match on TV, while more than £3 billion is being lavished on bets, drinks and food.
The force said it will be deploying ‘a great many officers and specialist units to prevent crime and disorder and respond to any incidents right across London’.
It comes as expectations reach fever pitch, one fan in central London said even a loss is ‘something to drink to’ in its historic match against Italy in the Euro final.
The British Beer & Pub Association predicts England fans will buy 7.1 million pints as they watch England’s first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup.
By the end of the competition it is estimated that £815million will have been spent in pubs and hospitality venues, with 32.6 million pints sold, according to a report by Vouchercodes.co.uk and the Centre for Retail Research.
Prince William is joined by Kate and George at the final today
Ahead of the match, The Queen, Prince William and Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent the team best wishes, while thousands of England supporters urge the side to ‘bring it home’ – with some fans partying last night while others admitted they didn’t sleep because they were so excited.
In a video message on the official England football Twitter account, Southgate – who has been praised for his leadership of the team – said the fans’ support has given them a ‘huge lift’.
He said: ‘We hope that you’ve enjoyed watching us play. I’m very grateful to all of the players and the incredible staff I’ve got with me, that we’ve been able to get to our first final for 55 years. But of course we know now we’ve got to deliver for you, so we’ll be doing everything we can.
The Duke of Cambridge praised manager Southgate, captain Harry Kane and ‘every member of the England team on and off the pitch’ in a video message on his official Twitter account, as he said: ‘I can’t really believe this is happening’ and wished the squad ‘the very best of luck’.
William, the President of the FA, said: ‘Gareth, Harry and to every member of the England team on and off the pitch, just want to wish you the very best of luck tonight. What a team performance it’s been, everyone in the squad has played their part. All the backroom team as well have been truly essentially.
‘I can’t really believe this is happening. So exciting and I just wish you the very best of luck. You bring out the very best of England and we are all behind you. The whole country is behind you. So, bring it home.’