On Sunday, the match against England and Italy at the Euro 2020 led to racist attacks on black players playing for England who ‘lost’ the game over missed penalties.
England’s two goals were made by Harry Kane and Harry Maguire while the next three shots were made by Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.
Italy defeated England on penalty kicks, 3-2 after the game ended on a tie and 1-1 though extra time.
Following the score, almost immediately did football fans take to social media and subject the players to racist remarks including money emojis, slurs and taunts to ‘get out of my country’.
Sancho and Saka’s shots were blocked by Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Rashford’s clinked off the left upright of the goal and didn’t go in.
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Bakayo Saka has been at the fore-front of most of the backlash because of his skin colour being darker than most other players. This does not mean that his black or brown counterparts who missed shootout kicks.
England’s Football Association has condemned racist social media attacks targeting the black soccer player too. It released a statement that said:
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,” the statement reads. “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.”
Italy scored two goals in their final three shots taking the title home for their first Euro tittle since 1968.
Source: BBC, ABC