There’s no place for racists who shame a nation
Even though last Sunday’s Euro 2020 result was hugely disappointing for those of us who supported England, our team did us proud in getting to the final.
The disgusting online racial abuse targeting the three
England players who missed penalties in the shootout was something we have seen before but hoped we had outgrown or eradicated. It took guts to even try, with the hopes of 50million people riding on those kicks – and when more experienced players had perhaps baulked at the chance to take a penalty.
It surely shows that, as a nation, we have not rid ourselves of the stench of racism. We should be thoroughly ashamed.
Philip Codd, Manchester
Nobody deserves the treatment Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho have received, but you have to admit that their penalties were bad.
J. Edwards, Middlesbrough
Those abusive tweets were despicable, but around the world things are far worse. In most other major footballing countries, players of colour are regularly abused by tens of thousands of fans inside the stadia themselves
John Thompson, Birmingham
Every time professional footballers take the knee before the kick-off, some of those spectating are heard booing this stance against racism.
I am surprised no player has had the courage to litigate against the clubs that employ them and that have a duty of care to protect their employees but fail to prevent racial abuse in the workplace.
Clubs would soon feel the pressure to help identify the racists in the crowd and ban them from football events for life.
David Wilson, Sheffield
So Marcus Rashford missed a penalty. Had it not been for him and his marvellous campaign, hundreds of children would have ‘missed’ being fed and gone hungry. I know which, in my mind, is the most important.
Peter Pinker, Bridport, Dorset
Let’s be honest – whoever missed a penalty would have received a lot of abuse. Whether it’s about race, someone’s family or just personal attacks, we have some vile fans going to England games.
E. Mitchell, Leeds
We seem to forget in moments like this that footballers are human beings with feelings, not machines. The people who spouted this vile abuse don’t seem to understand this and have a complete lack of humanity.
S. Taylor, Manchester
The disturbance at Wembley means that once again the overwhelming majority of fans have been tarred by the mindless morons who have no respect for anything or anyone.
Dave Hollingsworth, Newark