Britain’s Prince William said he is “sickened” by the racist abuse hurled at England’s black soccer players after the team lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
“I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match,” the Duke of Cambridge tweeted from the official Kensington Royal account.
“It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour,” he continued in the tweet, signed “W.”
“It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable.”
Italy took home its second European Championship tournament victory Sunday, beating England 3-2 on nail-biting penalties. The match finished 1-1 after extra time.
Following the match, a trio of black players — Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and Bukayo Saka, 19 — faced racist online abuse after missing their kicks in the penalty shootout.
English Prime Minister Boris Johnson also condemned the vitriol.
“This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a tweet overnight.
“Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”
Britain’s team manager, Gareth Southgate, said the treatment is “unforgivable.”
“For some of them to be abused is unforgivable,” Southgate said at a post-match press conference, according to Reuters.
“Some of it has come from abroad, we have been told this, but some of it is from this country.”
