Labour MP Angela Rayner has called Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel ‘arsonists’ and ‘hypocrites’ after three black English players faced incessant online abuse for missing penalties in the Euros final against Italy.
Rayner tweeted, “Let me be clear. The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary gave license to the racists who booed the England players and are now racially abusing England players. @BorisJohnson and @pritipatel are like arsonists complaining about a fire they poured petrol on. Total hypocrites.”
Let me be clear. The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary gave license to the racists who booed the England players and are now racially abusing England players.@BorisJohnson and @pritipatel are like arsonists complaining about a fire they poured petrol on. Total hypocrites.
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) July 12, 2021
This was after Johnson took to social media to condemn the behaviour of some of the English fans. He tweeted, “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.”
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.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 12, 2021
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka had missed their penalties, resulting in the defeat for England. England had taken an early lead through Luke Shaw’s goal in the final but Italy equalised in the 67th minute, pushing the match to go into extra time. However, the outcome was decided on penalties after the match ended 1-1 even after extra time.
Former England and Manchester United star, Gary Neville, too lashed out at Johnson for his hypocrisy saying it was only last month that the latter had refused to condemn fans who boo players for taking the knee.
“The prime minister said that it was okay for the population of the country to boo those players who are trying to promote equality and defend against racism.” Neville said that the leadership started ‘at the very top.’
“There is an issue obviously in football, there is an issue in society where we feel it is acceptable basically to criticise players for sporting actions because of the colour of their skin,” he was quoted by Sky News.
He added, “Honestly, Gareth Southgate and Boris Johnson are absolutely poles apart.” “You can be a leader and a gentleman… You can be ruthless and have compassion.”
Duke and Dutches of Cambridge to condemned the online abuse faced by three black English players. A tweet from their official Twitter handle read, “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”
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
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 12, 2021
Earlier, English cricketer Jofra Archer too had appealed to fans to not target black players for missing penalties. He had found support from fellow national cricketer Ben Stokes.