England’s Football Association Denounces Racist Attack on Its Black Players

By Tadi Abedje Published: July 13, 2021

England’s Football Association Denounces Racist Attack on Its Black Players

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 file photo, Aadetailed view of the "No room for racism" badge on the shirt of Newcastle United's Callum Wilson during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Brighton at St. James' Park in Newcastle, England. The leaders of English soccer have asked the heads of Facebook and Instagram to show “basic human decency” by taking more robust action to eradicate racism and for users’ identities to be verified. There has been growing outrage that players from the Premier League to the Women’s Super League have been targeted with abuse on Twitter and Facebook-owned Instagram. (Alex Pantling /Pool via AP, File)

By: Tadi Abedje

England played against Italy for the 2020 European Championship and it was a close and competitive match at Wembley Stadium. They played 120 minutes with the score being at one apiece at the end of regulation time. As a result, the game went into a penalty shootout were England fell to the Italians, 3-2 in penalty kicks as Rashford, Saka and Sancho missed the kicks.

It was Italy’s first Euro championship since 1968.

What was bad for the English during the game became worse afterwards, as fans on social media were taunting the Black players with racial epithets. The England team was disgusted about the abusive treatment that Rashford, Saka and Sancho were getting and stood with them in condemnation of the slurs.

The Football Association (FA) released a statement on Twitter denouncing the racism directed at the players.

“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,” said the FA.

Also chiming in support of Rashford, Saka and Sancho on Twitter was England captain Harry Kane.

“They deserve support & backing not the vile racist abuse they’ve had since last night. If you abuse anyone on social media you’re not an @England fan and we don’t want you,” Kane tweeted.

After seeing the FA and England speaking out, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) released a statement in condemnation of the attacks.

“We stand by the players and the English FA’s call for the strongest possible punishments,” UEFA tweeted.

British police will be investigating the social media posts.