Arsenal of England youngster, Bukayo Saka has gained massive support from the country’s national team’s coach, Gareth Southgate, after the lad was racially attacked on social media.
Megasportsarena.com reports that the attack came in the wake of Saka’s lost penalty in England’s European Championship final defeat by Italy on Sunday.
Saka was slammed racially alongside Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who also lost their kicks in the ensuing penalties shootout, after both sides battle to a 1-1 stalemate after extra time.
In the wake of the attacks suffered by Saka, Rashford and Sancho, Southgate led the spread of condemnation of slurs trolling the trio, who are all incidentally of African heritage.
Joining Southgate in slamming the racist slurs were England’s Football Association and Great Britain’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, as condemnations trailed the online racist abuse that the three players suffered after their Euro 2020 loss to Italy.
Saka, Rashford and Sancho all failed to convert their kicks from the spot, as England went down 3-2 on penalties, following which their social media handles were flooded with racist comments, leading the FA to release a statement condemning the action as disgusting behaviour.
Southgate also posited that the act of discrimination directed at the three players following the defeat at Wembley demonstrates the antithesis of what the national team’s values are and the togetherness that the squad has shown.
The Three Lions’ gaffer said: “For some of them to be abused is unforgivable really. I know some of that has come from abroad, people who track these things are able to explain that, but not all of it.
“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. It’s my decision who takes the penalties, it’s not a case of players not volunteering or more experienced players backing out.”
An FA spokesperson added that support will be given to the trio affected and England’s football governing body went on to implore the government and technology companies to take robust action on the issue.
The body’s statement read: “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.
“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.
“We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore the government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences.
“Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse.”
