… while THE DUKE speaks out in support of England’s football heroes following Euro 2020
PLAYERS AND PUBLIC COME TOGETHER TO CALL OUT RACIAL ABUSE
Summing up the feelings of the nation, the Duke of Cambridge sent a passionate message of support to England’s footballers when players were racially abused following the team’s defeat in the Euro 2020 final.
“I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match,” he tweeted.
“It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable.”
Prince William was with his wife the Duchess and their son Prince George, who turns eight this week, at Wembley Stadium to see the nailbiting final, which attracted a TV audience of almost 31 million – the highest British viewing figures since the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
But their hopes, together with the rest of the nation’s, turned to disappointment when the game ended in a 1-1 draw and Italy went on to win 3-2 on penalties.
STANDING UNITED
The Duke was joined by politicians, footballers and celebrities in rallying round players Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and 19-year-old Bukayo Saka, who were targeted by online trolls after missing their penalties.
While the Prince of Wales praised Marcus for his
‘It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now’ The Duke of Cambridge
campaign to tackle child hunger, England manager Gareth Southgate condemned the abuse as “unforgivable”, adding: ”It’s just not what we stand for.
“We have been a beacon of light in bringing people together, in people being able to relate to the national team, and the national team stands for everybody and so that togetherness has to continue.
“We have shown the power our country has when it does come together and has that energy and positivity together.”
England captain Harry Kane tweeted: “Three lads who were brilliant all summer had the courage to step up & take a pen when the stakes were high. 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.”
STAYING STRONG
Expressions of support also flooded in from across the country. In the Manchester suburb of Withington, where Marcus is from, hundreds of fans gathered in front of the Coffee House Café, filling a wall with messages of support after a mural of him there was defaced.
The Manchester United star tweeted he was: “Overwhelmed. Thankful. Lost for words.”
Addressing the trolling in an online message, he wrote: “I can take critique of my performance all day long, my penalty was not good enough… but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from.”
Arsenal star Bukayo sent his own message of strength, writing: “I can promise you this – I will not let that moment or the negativity I received this week break me.”
He also called on the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to do more against abuse, a cry echoed by Boris Johnson.
As well as announcing racist trolls would be banned from matches, the Prime Minister met representatives from several social media companies and warned they would be fined if they failed to deal with the issue.
“Unless they get hate and racism off their platforms, they will face fines amounting to ten per cent of their global revenues,” he said. “We all know they have the technology to do it.”
‘I’ll never apologise for who I am and where I came from’
Marcus Rashford