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Boris Johnson tells racist trolls ‘shame on you’ and ‘crawl back under your rock’ after England heroes targeted
BORIS Johnson has tonight told racists who targeted England players after their Euro 2020 defeat to "crawl back under their rock".
Lashing out at vile trolls who abused Three Lions heroes after last night's penalty defeat to Italy, the PM told them: "Shame on you".
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At a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson praised gallant England for their thrilling run to the Euros final - and looking ahead to the World Cup, said: "Bring on Qatar next year".
And he said we should "dare to start to hope" that the UK could host the 2030 World Cup as football fever gripped the nation.
The PM joined the FA and Met Police in slamming vicious trolls for their abuse after England's heartbreaking defeat to Italy.
Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho all missed from the spot as Gareth Southgate's men fell agonisingly short of Euros glory.
It comes as...
- Eager fans rushed the barriers at Wembley stadium and pushed past barricades hours before kick-off
- RAF Red Arrows flew over Wembley to cheer on England just before they took to the field
- Rio Ferdinand was hit by a beer after leading a chant of 'Sterling's on fire' outside Wembley
- But despite the hype, it wasn't meant to be - and the PM praised the Lions for "playing like heroes" after a heartbreaking loss
- And fans will this morning awaken with puffy eyes (and sore heads) after a day of drinking
And the trio were all targeted on social media after their penalty misses.
Sick morons left vile messages and sent monkey emojis to the young players.
Taking aim at the racists, the Prime Minister exploded: "Shame on you. I hope you crawl back under the rock from which you emerged."
Mr Johnson hailed the Three Lions "heroes" for their performances which had "filled me with pride".
Thanking manager Gareth Southgate and his team, the PM praised England's stars for "making history".
Shame on you. I hope you crawl back under the rick from which you emerged
Boris Johnson to racist trolls who targeted England players
Mr Johnson said: "This morning was sad and rueful, but also filled with pride and hope, and with thanks to Gareth Southgate and the whole England squad for the best campaign by any England team in any tournament that I can remember.
"They made history, they lifted our spirits, they brought joy to this country and I know that they will continue to do so."
It comes as the FA launched an investigation into "unprecedented" crowd trouble after fans without tickets stormed into Wembley last night amid sickening scenes.
The Met made 86 arrests yesterday, 53 of them at Wembley, with 19 officers injured during disorder.
The PM, Prince William and Southgate have now all spoken of their fury at the racist abuse aimed at England players.
Mr Johnson said this morning: "This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media.
"Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves."
The Duke of Cambridge, who serves as president of The FA and attended the game with wife Kate and son George, tweeted: "I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match.
"It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour.
"It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W."
And Gareth Southgate has told journalists the attacks are "unforgiveable" - and it's "just not what we stand for".
The Met Police has vowed to launch a probe into the repellent trolling.
'RACISTS MUST BE HUNTED BY COPS'
The force said: "We are aware of a number of offensive and racist social media comments being directed towards footballers following the Euro 2020 final.
"This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated."
There were also shameful scenes at Wembley last night as fights broke out when ticketless fans managed to breach security and get into the stadium.
Supporters forced their way past security into the stands as the FA blasted their "unacceptable" actions and announced a "full review and investigation".
In a statement, an FA spokesman said: "Security and stewarding numbers for the UEFA Euro 2020 Final exceeded the requirements for the match and were greater than any other previous event at Wembley Stadium.
“However, the behaviour of the people who illegally forced their way into the stadium was unacceptable, dangerous and showed total disregard for the safety and security protocols in place.
The behaviour of the people who illegally forced their way into the stadium was unacceptable, dangerous and showed total disregard for the safety and security protocols in place
An FA spokesman
“No steward or security staff should be subjected to this type of behaviour and we thank them for their support on the night. We also apologise to anyone at the match whose experience was affected by this unprecedented level of public disorder.
“We will continue to work with the relevant authorities to identify and take action against these people where possible.”
The racist abuse of England's heroes has met with widespread condemnation today.
On Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid said: "They think they can say what they want online.
"Frankly, it's disgusting, and the full force of the law should be brought down on your heads."
Her co-host Richard Madeley said: "It's time we prosecute these people, it's time we saw them named and shamed, standing in a dock in a British court and hopefully sent to jail."
Ex GMB host Piers Morgan tweeted: "When England’s players took the knee last night, I was pleased to hear loud applause drown out a few boos.
"Then our black stars get horrifically racially abused after the game. This is why they take the knee. This is why I support them in taking the knee."
Health Minister Edward Argar told Sky News this morning: "It was a hugely disappointing result, but what wasn't disappointing was the phenomenal performance our national team has put up throughout this tournament, and they are all heroes."
And he said he backs a police probe into the attacks, adding: "What really is disappointing is the appalling online racist abuse that we've seen members of that team suffer.
"There's no place for that in sport, there's no place for that in our country."
And Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "I'm disgusted that England players who have given so much for our country this summer have been subject to vile racist abuse on social media.
"It has no place in our country and I back the police to hold those responsible accountable."
This is why they take the knee. This is why I support them in taking the knee.
Piers Morgan
Saka's club Arsenal said today: "Last night we witnessed the leadership and character we’ve always known and loved in Bukayo.
"However, this feeling of pride quickly turned to sorrow at the racist comments our young player was subjected to on his social media platforms after the final whistle.
"Once again, we are sad to have to say we condemn the racism of a number of black players.
"This cannot continue and the social media platforms and authorities must act to ensure this disgusting abuse to which our players are subjected on a daily basis stops now."
The FA has released a statement addressing the 'disgusting' abuse their players suffered.
An FA spokesperson 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.
"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 government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences.
PM'S FURY AT 'SHAMEFUL' TROLLS
"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."
Twitter said today it has removed over 1,000 posts within the past 24 hours which violated its policy, as well as permanently suspending a number of accounts.
England players have been taking a knee before their Euros games in a stand against racism.
The gesture just before kick-off has been used ever since George Floyd's murder in Minnesota last year.
Players and clubs also boycotted social media for a weekend in May in an attempt to force giants like Facebook and Twitter to take sterner action.
The FA pleaded with fans not to boo the players when making the stand against racism and inequality.
Following the racist abuse of the England players, a Facebook spokesman said: “No one should have to experience racist abuse anywhere, and we don’t want it on Instagram.
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"We quickly removed comments and accounts directing abuse at England’s footballers last night and we’ll continue to take action against those that break our rules.
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"In addition to our work to remove this content, we encourage all players to turn on Hidden Words, a tool which means no one has to see abuse in their comments or DMs.
"No one thing will fix this challenge overnight, but we’re committed to keeping our community safe from abuse.”
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Italy beat heartbroken England to win Euro 2020
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