“go back to Nigeria”
Multiple England players are facing severe racism as a result of the team’s loss against Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
In possibly the most difficult football match to watch in years, England just lost out on a European victory to Italy.
A nail-biting match on Sunday, July 11, 2021 saw England tied 1-1 with Italy after 90 minutes.
However, Gareth Southgate’s squad lost the trophy after a 3-2 defeat on penalties.
England started well, with a small yet significant lead over Roberto Mancini’s penalty-takers.
However, England’s Marcus Rashford, aged 23, Jadon Sancho, aged 21, and Bukayo Saka, aged 19, missed their penalties and left the country heartbroken.
Since the Italians lifted the Euro 2020 trophy just hours ago, racism against the young English players has flooded social media.
This comes despite the likes of Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson and Jordan Pickford receiving praise for their efforts during the tournament.
A mural of Marcus Rashford based in Manchester has already been defaced following England’s defeat.
Bukayo Saka’s Instagram is also full of racist comments, telling the 19-year-old to “get out my country” and “go back to Nigeria”.
A series of monkey emojis also appear in Saka’s comment sections.
As well as this, real estate giant Savills‘ manager Andrew Bone has been slammed for his racist tweet.
Shortly after the final penalty, Bone took to Twitter and wrote: “N****s ruined it for us.”
The tweet has since been deleted, and Andrew Bone’s Twitter and Linkedin accounts no longer exist.
Angry Twitter users have informed Savills of Bone’s comments, and they have responded with a statement that reads:
“Savills is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce.
“A full investigation will be carried out in regards to this unacceptable incident.
“Savills abhors and has zero-tolerance to any form of racism and racial discrimination and is appalled by the racist comments in these tweets.
“Savills is immediately investigating and will take appropriate action.”
However, members of the public are urging for Bone to be sacked.
One user tweeted Savills with a screenshot of Bone’s tweet, saying:
“Hey @Savills, Andrew Bone has deleted this tweet and his Twitter account, but in case you need it to sack his racist a**e…”
Another person revealed they are signing a house purchase with Savills, and would cut all ties with them if they do not take action against their employee.
Labour MP David Lammy also tweeted a series of screenshots of racist tweets, which included Andrew Bone’s.
He said: “This is why we take the knee. Praying for a better future – worthy of the values, beauty and respect exemplified by every single England player.”
Many social media users are taking to their platforms to slam trolls for their racist comments.
One Twitter user quickly reminded the trolls that Rashford, Sancho and Saka are part of the squad that took England to their first men’s final in over half a century.
Racism from English fans who roared for the black players who got them to this point is exactly why this country doesn’t deserve good things sometimes
— Henrie (@HenrieVIII) July 11, 2021
She said:
“Racism from English fans who roared for the black players who got them to this point is exactly why this country doesn’t deserve good things sometimes”
Many also praised the young players for their achievements off the pitch, and their bravery in stepping up over older and more experienced players.
Can we remember…
Marcus Rashford is 23, raised £200m for kids to eat last year.
Jadon Sancho is 21, opened up new football pitches for those in the suburbs of London.
Bukayo Saka is 19, a voice for the youth of football today & helping local communities. #StopHate #ENGITA— Imogen Davies (@_ImogenDavies_) July 11, 2021
One said:
“Can we remember…
“Marcus Rashford is 23, raised £200m for kids to eat last year.
“Jadon Sancho is 21, opened up new football pitches for those in the suburbs of London.
“Bukayo Saka is 19, a voice for the youth of football today & helping local communities.
“#StopHate #ENGITA”
A 19 year old who has NEVER taken a professional penalty, was given the immense responsibility of taking the final penalty. He had the courage to step up. What a guy ??????????
— em? (@awfcemily) July 11, 2021
Another spoke of Saka’s final penalty, saying:
“A 19-year-old who has NEVER taken a professional penalty, was given the immense responsibility of taking the final penalty.
“He had the courage to step up. What a guy”
SPORTbible also took to their official Twitter account to praise Saka for his efforts, saying:
“Give your head a wobble if you’re criticising Bukayo Saka at all.
“19-years-old and he had the balls to take the decisive penalty in probably the biggest game of his career.”
Give your head a wobble if you're criticising Bukayo Saka at all.
19-years-old and he had the balls to take the decisive penalty in probably the biggest game of his career. pic.twitter.com/qQQNEcgNVc
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) July 11, 2021
The Football Association (FA), Prince William and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have all condemned social media users for their racism.
Prince William, who attended the match with the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George, said he is “sickened” by the racist abuse towards the England players.
Boris Johnson also branded the racism as “appalling”, saying the squad should instead be “lauded as heroes”.
The FA has since released a statement on Twitter regarding the racism facing the England squad.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) July 12, 2021
The statement reads:
“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.”
The statement was retweeted by England’s official Twitter account.
We’re disgusted that some of our squad – who have given everything for the shirt this summer – have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight’s game.
We stand with our players ?? https://t.co/1Ce48XRHEl
— England (@England) July 12, 2021
They said:
“We’re disgusted that some of our squad – who have given everything for the shirt this summer – have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight’s game.
“We stand with our players”
Despite missing his penalty and the racism he is receiving, Sky Sports gave Bukayo Saka a player rating of 10.
They pointed out the young player’s bravery, and how the England squad improved after introducing him.
Sky Sports also spoke to Gareth Southgate about bringing such young players in to take the penalties for England.
Many fans are questioning why Southgate chose young, less experienced players to take such crucial penalties in the first place.
Some also slammed Southgate for his “poor management” over putting the pressure of a tournament win on a 19-year-old whose career had just begun.
Southgate has barely given Rashford or Sancho a minute in this tournament. Either you have faith in them or you don’t. To overlook them for weeks and then expect them to show up as your first choice penalty takers, when barely giving them a touch, is unfair. Poor management.
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) July 11, 2021
Taking to Twitter, Scott Patterson said:
“Southgate has barely given Rashford or Sancho a minute in this tournament. Either you have faith in them or you don’t.
“To overlook them for weeks and then expect them to show up as your first choice penalty takers, when barely giving them a touch, is unfair. Poor management.”
Gareth Southgate has since said he takes full responsibility for his squad, and their lack of successful penalties is on him.
Revealing what he would say to Saka, Southgate told Sky Sports:
“That it’s down to me. I chose the penalty takers based on what we’ve done in training and nobody is on their own.
“We’ve won together as a team and it’s absolutely on all of us in terms of not being able to win the game tonight.
“But in terms of the penalties, that’s my call and totally rests with me.”
Racism and violence from the English fanbase came before the match even started.
On Twitter, a video of English fans assaulting an Italian fan before the match even started has gone viral.
How does this happen at a major international final?!#Euro2020Final #EURO2020 #ENG https://t.co/3aW9lqBZEc
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) July 11, 2021
Twitter users responded by slamming the fans for their behaviour, branding them “shameful” and “disgraceful”.
One user said:
“They’re a gang beating Italian fans 5 to 1 kicking them on the ground. Disgraceful”
Another wrote: “And they wonder why nobody likes English football fans”
A third said: “Faces clearly seen here. These men need to be rounded up, jailed and barred for life from games.”
The England squad and many English football clubs have taken a knee before their matches to highlight the fight against racial injustice.
Now, it is clear that their fight is still far from over.
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