England’s midfielder, Bukayo Saka, has responded to the racial abuse. He said he was expecting the criticisms.
Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were subjected to racial abuse and cyberbullying on social media for missing the penalty kicks against Italy at the EURO 2020 final.
In his reaction to the abuses, Saka said his “reaction post-match said it all – I was hurting so much and I felt like I’d let you all and my England family down. For those who have campaigned on my behalf and sent me heartfelt letters, wished me and my family well, I am so thankful.
“To the social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: I don’t want any child or adult to receive the hateful and hurtful messages that me, Marcus and have received. I knew instantly the kind of hate I was about to receive and that is a sad reality that your powerful platforms are not doing enough to stop these messages.
“There is no place for racism or hate of any kind on football or any area of society and to the majority of people coming together to call out the people sending these messages, by taking action and reporting these to the police and riving out the hate by being kind to one and other, we will win.”
“There are no words to tell you how disappointed I was with the result and my penalty. I really believed we would win this for you. I’m sorry that we couldn’t bring it home for you this year, but I promise you that we will give everything we’ve got to make sure this generation knows how it feels to win.
“To help that team reach our first final in 55 years, seeing my family in the crowd, knowing what they’ve given up to help me get there, that meant everything to me. It was an honour to be part of an England squad that leads by example, they are brothers for life and I’m grateful for everything that I have learnt from every one of the players and staff who worked so hard,” he said.
