Euro-2021: English players targeted by racist insults after their defeat in the final

Published on : 07/12/2021 – 08:53

The English Football Association said it was “appalled” and “disgusted” by the racist comments posted on social networks against Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka. The three players targeted by these insults are those who missed their shots on goal in the Euro-2021 final lost to Italy on Sunday July 11 at Wembley.

Racist insults also denounced by the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in a tweet. “This England team deserves to be treated as heroes, and not (victims) of racist insults on social media. Those responsible for these appalling abuses should be ashamed of themselves,” said the Tory leader. .

English football has been confronted for several months with a phenomenon of online racism targeting players after the defeat of their club or after disappointing performances.

“We are disgusted that members of our team, who gave their all this summer, were subjected to discriminatory assault online after tonight’s game,” the English Football Association said on its Twitter account. “We support our players,” she insisted.

An investigation launched by the London police

The three players, who entered during the game, missed their attempt at a penalty shoot-out, sealing England’s defeat against Italy (1-1 ap, 3-2 tab) and thus shattering everyone’s dream. country that hoped to clinch a second major title, 55 years after its home success in the 1966 World Cup.

In a statement, the Federation recalled that it “condemns all forms of discrimination and is dismayed by the racism disseminated on social networks against some of the players from England”. “We are saying in the clearest possible way that anyone behind such disgusting behavior is not welcome among the supporters of this team.”

The London police meanwhile announced that they were “investigating” these “insulting and racist” posts online.

French players also victims of racist insults

In May, the English Football Association called on the British government to legislate without delay to force social networks to act against online insults that have already targeted Marcus Rashford.

To draw attention to this racism online, the Federation, Premier League, Second Division and Women’s Super League clubs, as well as organizations representing players, referees and coaches, subsequently joined by other sports such as rugby or cricket, had decided not to feed their accounts on social networks from Friday April 30 until Monday May 3.

The United Kingdom is not the only country concerned by this kind of case, several players of the France team have also been victims of racist insults on social networks after their team’s defeat against Switzerland .

The Paris prosecutor’s office launched an investigation on June 30 after the publication of these racist messages on Twitter. The investigations must make it possible to identify the authors of the messages. At the same time, the SOS Racisme association lodged a complaint for these facts, with a view to becoming a civil party in the event of a lawsuit.

With AFP