Mark Drakeford condemns ‘unacceptable’ racist abuse towards England players after Euro 2020 final
The First Minister has condemned racist abuse aimed at Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka following their penalty kicks defeat against Italy at the Euro 2020 final last night.
All three players missed penalties in the 3-2 shootout and were bombarded with racist messages on social media after the game.
Mark Drakeford joined England manager Gareth Southgate and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is condemning those who sent the messages.
“The racist abuse following last night’s Euros 2020 final is absolutely unacceptable, we unreservedly condemn it,” Mark Drakeford said.
“We stand with England’s players against all forms of discrimination – there must be zero tolerance for it.”
He also called on people to submit suggestions to a consultation on creating an anti-racist Wales.
“As we strive towards an anti-racist Wales, we are seeking your views on a Race Equality Action Plan,” he wrote.
‘Hollow’
Boris Johnson had earlier said that: “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.”
However, he was accused by the Labour Party of hypocrisy after he failed to condemn fans booing the taking of the knee as a symbolic protest against racism at the start of matches.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said that the Prime Minister had “failed the test of leadership because whatever he says today about racism he had a simple choice at the beginning of this tournament in relation to the booing of those who were taking the knee.
“The prime minister failed to call that out and the actions and inactions of leaders have consequences, so I’m afraid the prime minister’s words today ring hollow.”
European football’s governing body UEFA has also condemned the “disgusting racist abuse”, adding that they “stand by the players and the FA’s call for the strongest possible punishments.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Maybe we should invite those talented young men to come to Wales, become Welsh citizens and play for a country which will appreciate them.
What about the disgraceful behaviour of many in the crowd who booed when Italian players were in possession of the ball? This type of behaviour is covered in law “Threatening words and/or behaviour whereby a breach of the peace might occur” Such behaviour is childish and needs to be stamped out. It will, no doubt, be the same louts who are racists and have idea of what good behaviour is.
So typical of a segment of English fans, a slice which other fans appear to tolerate in silence, and MetPlod appear not to want to get stuck into these louts despite plenty of evident reason. These young players were idols for a few days then when the jingoistic dreams were shattered they reverted to being objects of derision and hatred. Speaks volumes about their underlying problem with ethnicity among the Yobocracy.
Not exactly the kind of countrymen we want eh Mark? Fortunately we ‘ll leave them to it soon.
It seemed a bit hypocritical of Johnson to condemn the racists, since they are his core vote. His inadequate comments remind me of Trump’s defence of white supremacist murderers as “fine people”. They are the mob whose bigotry he roused to gain Brexit. He is now learning that once you let the ignorant mob out of their box, you can’t get the pigs back in.
HE caused this. HE destroyed the Union. HE destroyed civilised debate. HE is the cause, not the solution. It is HIS vile minions abusing these players
Went are you so obsessed with English soccer stories?
It’s more about the racist abuse of football players (their nationality doesn’t matter in this context) than about football.