Prince William ‘Sickened’ by England Fans Who Abused Black Players
Prince William issued a strong statement Monday saying he was “sickened” by racist abuse aimed at Black English soccer players after the team lost the big European soccer final to Italy in London on Sunday night.
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
William’s intervention came after Black players endured a torrent of abuse on social media and were taunted with racist emojis and phrases after three Black players missed key penalties that decided the game in Italy’s favor.
William’s remarks were echoed by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had previously refused to condemn England fans who booed the players taking a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
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
The racist abuse marked a miserable end to a match that at one stage threatened to be a glorious moment of sporting triumph.
England’s team had sent national hopes soaring when they went into the lead with a goal in the second minute of play. Images of Prince George, 7, celebrating as he watched the match with his parents, William and Kate, captured the national mood of elation.
However as the game wore on, England failed to cement its lead. Italy then scored an equalizer and the young royal family looked increasingly anxious in their VIP aerie. And when the match culminated in the lost penalty shoot out, George, wearing a suit and tie, looked utterly bereft, with his father placing his hand on his shoulders as he sought to console him.
Prince George is all of us 😢 #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/e86LiK8HCC
— Metro (@MetroUK) July 11, 2021
It was a late and emotional night for the youngster, but he didn’t burst into tears, like many of the adults present.
William, who is president of the English Football Association, sent out a message shortly after the end of the match in which he congratulated Italy on its victory and sought to boost English morale ahead of next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Heartbreaking. Congratulations @Azzurri on a great victory.
@England, you’ve all come so far, but sadly this time it wasn’t our day. You can all hold your heads high, and be so proud of yourselves — I know there’s more to come. W— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 11, 2021
Rubbing shoulders with the royals in the VIP box were Boris Johnson, model Kate Moss, former England captain David Beckham and, rather bizarrely, Tom Cruise, who is shooting a new Mission Impossible movie in the U.K.
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