Mith outrage and horror, politics, the football association and society in Great Britain reacted to racist insults against the English penalty shooters in the European Championship final. “This England team deserves to be revered as heroes and not racially insulted,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted on Monday. “Those responsible for these horrific insults should be ashamed.” Prince William spoke of “hideous behavior”. “It has to stop now and everyone involved should be held accountable,” tweeted the Queen’s grandson.
Up until the final, the European Championship had been riddled with social issues such as the debate about everyday racism. Ironically, England’s national team, which had gone on one knee before every match at the European Championship to protest against racism and discrimination, was now haunted by bad insults and curses at the end of the game.
The conservative politician Johnson and his Home Secretary Priti Patel had previously shown understanding for people who expressed their displeasure about the players kneeling against racism and the Black Lives Matter movement. After Brexit as a common theme, the Tories have now often discovered the War on Woke as a theme for themselves, i.e. the commitment against all too vigilant advocacy against racism and too much political correctness.
“It starts at the top”
Former pro Gary Neville blamed Johnson personally for the racist slurs. “The Prime Minister has said it is okay for the people of the country to boo players who are trying to promote equality and defend racism,” the TV commentator told Sky News. “It starts at the top.”
Bukayo Saka (19) from Arsenal FC missed the last penalty in the lost final against Italy. Before that, Marcus Rashford (23) from Manchester United and Jadon Sancho (21), who is about to move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United, missed. Italy won the penalty shootout 3-2. As a result, the wrongdoers were racially insulted in social networks. A mural depicting Rashford was damaged near Manchester. The striker has repeatedly advocated the needs of socially disadvantaged children.
British Sports Secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted that he shared the anger at the “terrifying racist abuse of the heroic players”. He announced that he wanted to make social media networks responsible not to spread such statements. Instagram owner Facebook emphasized in a statement that nobody should be a victim of racist insults. “We quickly removed comments and accounts last night that offended England’s footballers and we will continue to take action against those who break our rule.”
Before Johnson and Dowden, the English Football Association was shaken by racism online. UEFA called for the “severest possible penalties”. London police tweeted, “This abuse is absolutely unacceptable, will not be tolerated and investigated.” Former English soccer star Alan Shearer said on BBC breakfast television, referring to the racist remarks, “What’s wrong with such people? That sucks. ”He admires anyone who has had the courage to take a penalty for England.
Heir to the throne, Prince Charles, called for tolerance and unity. “Recognizing the rich diversity of cultures that make this country so special – and in many ways unique – is at the heart of what we can be as a nation,” said the queen’s eldest son. London fourth division club Leyton Orient issued a three-year stadium ban to a fan who tweeted racist slurs.
The Sri Lankan-born journalist, management consultant and musician Stephan Anpalagan, founder and managing director of the non-profit organization “Demokratie in Arbeit”, tweeted on Monday night: “This evening, this night, the blacks are to blame. And they should pay, if necessary with their life. In the year 2021. In the middle of Europe. Because of a lost soccer game. You can’t believe it, you don’t want to believe it. ”And:“ The varnish of civilization is thin. On some days it is even transparent and allows a look into the underworld. “
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