Story at a glance
- An England soccer player targeted with racist abuse following the national team’s loss in the Euro 2020 finally hit back at social media platforms for allegedly permitting the hate.
- “To the social media platforms @instagram @twitter @facebook I don’t want any child or adult to have to receive the hateful and hurtful messages that me Marcus and Jadon have received this week,” Saka wrote on Instagram.
- Four people have been arrested thus far in an investigation into potential hate crimes.
An England soccer player targeted with racist abuse following the national team’s loss in the Euro 2020 final hit back at social media platforms for allegedly permitting the hate via inaction.
Bukayo Saka, a 19-year-old Black man, was one of three players hit with a deluge of online hatred after he, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho missed penalty kicks in the loss.
“To the social media platforms @instagram @twitter @facebook I don’t want any child or adult to have to receive the hateful and hurtful messages that me Marcus and Jadon have received this week,” Saka wrote on Instagram.
“I knew instantly the kind of hate that I was about to receive and [it] is a sad reality that your powerful platforms are not doing enough to stop these messages,” Saka continued. “There is no place for racism or hate of any kind in football.”
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Four people have been arrested thus far in an investigation into potential hate crimes conducted by the U.K. Football Policing Unit, the National Police Chiefs Council said in a statement.
“We are working very closely with social media platforms, who are providing data we need to progress enquiries,” Cheshire police Chief Constable Mark Roberts said according to The Associated Press. “If we identify that you are behind this crime, we will track you down and you will face the serious consequences of your shameful actions.”
The England midfielder thanked those who’ve spoken out in support of the three athletes, saying that “this is what football should be all about.”
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A petition aimed at banning racists from soccer venues on and offline for life has reached more than 1.1 million signatures. The “Ban racists for life from all football matches in England,” petition, posted to Change.org by a trio of “multi-racial” fans has a goal of 1.5 million signatures.
“We could not be more proud or inspired by our magnificent team and by their talent, bravery, leadership and love for all,” the group wrote. “Gareth Southgate’s England team plays for ALL of us.”
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