Mings ‘telling painful truth’ in Patel criticism
ENGLAND footballer Tyrone Mings has criticised home secretary Priti Patel, saying she “stoked the fire” for racist abuse of the team’s players by defending those who booed players taking the knee.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were attacked by racist trolls after missing penalties in last Sunday’s (11) 3-2 shoot-out defeat in the Euro final by Italy.
The Aston Villa star criticised her – after the opening Euro 2020 win over Croatia – for her remarks that taking the knee was “gesture politics”.
At the time, Patel refused to condemn the England fans who booed the team for doing it.
Premier League teams have taken the knee since last year following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in the US.
Patel said on Monday (12) the racial abuse of the three players was “disgusting”, but Mings criticised her response.
“You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ and then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens,” tweeted Mings.
His remarks received support from Patel’s fellow Conservative MP and former defence minister Johnny Mercer.
“The painful truth is that this guy (Mings) is completely right,” Mercer tweeted. “Very uncomfortable with the position we Conservatives are needlessly forcing ourselves into.
“Do I fight it or stay silent? Modern Conservatism was always so much more to me. We must not lose our way.”
England captain Harry Kane lashed out at those who had posted the racial slurs, following England manager Gareth Southgate who had said the abuse was “unforgivable”.
“Three lads who were brilliant all summer had the courage to step up and take a pen (penalty) when the stakes were high,” tweeted Kane.
“They deserve support and backing not the vile racist abuse they’ve had since last night (Sunday).
“If you abuse anyone on social media you’re not an England fan and we don’t want you.”
The racist attacks were also condemned by the English Football Association whose president, Prince William, said he was “sickened” by the abuse.