Euro: Boris Johnson denounces "racist insults" targeting English players

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday denounced "racist slurs" against black players of the English football team after their loss to Italy in the Euro final on Sunday at Wembley, on which the police opened a investigation.

"This England team deserves to be treated as heroes, and not (victims) of racist insults on social media. Those responsible for these appalling abuses should be ashamed of themselves," the conservative leader.

"We support our players"

The English Football Association said it was "appalled" and "disgusted" by the racist comments posted on social networks against Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, three players who missed their shot on goal during the the final of the Euro lost to Italy. "We are disgusted that members of our team, who gave their all this summer, were subjected to discriminatory assault online after tonight's game," the FA said on its Twitter account. "We support our players," she insisted. The three players, who entered during the match, missed their shot on goal, sealing England's defeat against Italy (1-1 ap, 3-2 tab) and thus shattering the dream of a whole country that hoped to win a second major title,55 years after his home success in the 1966 World Cup.

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In a statement, the FA said it was "appalled by the racism disseminated on social networks against some of the players from England".

The London police meanwhile announced that they were "investigating" these "insulting and racist" posts online.

Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat on Monday attacked social networks on Twitter which "have algorithms that target advertisements but are not going to stop racist insults against certain exemplary young men".

Scenes of violence at Wembley

English football has been confronted for several months with a phenomenon of online racism targeting players after the defeat of their club or after disappointing performances. In May, the FA called on the British government to legislate without delay to force social networks to act against online insults that have already targeted Marcus Rashford in the past. To draw attention to this racism online, the FA, Premier League, Second Division and Women's Super League clubs, as well as organizations representing players, referees and coaches, subsequently joined by other sports such as rugby or cricket, had decided not to feed their accounts on social networks from Friday April 30 until Monday May 3.

The Euro final was also marked by incidents with supporters without tickets who managed to enter the stadium by forcing security barriers and overwhelming stadium staff. A scene of violence with supporters punching and kicking an Asian man in the halls of the stadium was filmed and posted on social media. London police said they had made 49 arrests on Sunday for various Euro-related offenses and said 19 police officers were injured, violence they condemned as "totally unacceptable".