Racism In The UK: Police Investigate Racial Abuse Against 3 Black England Soccer Players

Police in the U.K. opened investigations Monday into the flood of racial abuse directed at three Black soccer players after England's national team lost to Italy on Sunday in the European Championship final, according to reports.

Racist comments appeared on major social media platforms. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were the targets of racist comments after they missed their penalty kicks in the defeat. The two white English players, Harry Kane and Harry Maguire, converted their penalty kicks.

England's Football Association (FA) released a statement early Monday condemning the “abhorrent abuse” and urging tech giants to take action.

“We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team,” the FA posted on Twitter. “We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.”

Rashford, Sancho and Saka are among the roster's youngest players and were subbed in during the final minutes of overtime, a move England coach Gareth Southgate took in preparation for the looming penalty kicks.

“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,” Southgate said Monday.

CNBC noted that the U.K. government has sought to crack down on large tech companies over the proliferation of harmful content. The Online Safety Bill was recently proposed to give media watchdog Ofcom the power to fine companies up to £18 million ($24.9 million) or 10% of their annual global revenues, whichever is higher, for breaches.

The hashtag #SayNoToRacism trended on Twitter in response to the racist comments.

“This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson posted on Twitter.

The abuse is not just online. Vandalizers graffitied a mural honoring Rashford in his home city of Manchester, according to BBC News.

Many players have taken a knee ahead of Euro 2020 matches in support of racial justice. The move has been met with some resistance from fans. There has been booing in response to the kneeling, as some believe the players are showing support for the political goals of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Labour Member of Parliament David Lammy criticized the racist abuse targeted at Rashford, Sancho and Saka.

“This is why we take the knee. Praying for a better future – worthy of the values, beauty and respect exemplified by every single England player,” he told the Guardian.