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What has the FA said?

A statement said: The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media.

We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.

We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences.

Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse.

A Facebook Company Spokesperson, speaking on behalf of Instagram said: No one should have to experience racist abuse anywhere, and we dont want it on Instagram. We quickly removed comments and accounts directing abuse at Englands footballers last night and well continue to take action against those that break our rules.

In addition to our work to remove this content, we encourage all players to turn on Hidden Words, a tool which means no one has to see abuse in their comments or DMs. No one thing will fix this challenge overnight, but were committed to keeping our community safe from abuse.

Tony Burnett, CEO of Kick It Out, the organisation built to tackle discrimination in football has said: The racist abuse however aimed at some of the England players on social media last night, is appalling and completely unacceptable.

"We will continue to work with our partners in football to drive discrimination out of the game, but we call on those with the power to act now. The social media companies need to do more to stamp out abuse on their platforms, and the government also need to step up and keep its promise to regulate. The Online Safety Bill could be a game changer and we aim to help make that happen.

The Metropolitan Police tweeted: We are aware of a number of offensive and racist social media comments being directed towards footballers following the #Euro2020 final.

This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated.

No 10 also condemned the abuse.

Johnson said: 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.

Arsenal meanwhile said in a statement: Bukayo has been with us since he was seven and the whole club couldnt have been prouder to see him represent England throughout the tournament. You could feel it right across the club.

Our message to Bukayo is: hold your head high, we are so very proud of you and we cannot wait to welcome you back home to Arsenal soon.

Rashford, Saka and Sancho have had a number of comments on their past Instagram posts after their penalty misses on Sunday night.

They have been targeted with monkey emojis and other racially abusive comments since the end of the game.

It was a familiar story for England as they lost on penalties to Italy having come within a whisker of winning their first major trophy in 55 years.

Jordan Pickford saved twice from the spot but ultimately misses from Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka meant Italy emerged victorious.

England got the dream start when Luke Shaw gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes, smashing home Trippiers cross brilliantly from close range. Gareth Southgates side looked a far cry from previous England teams and treated the home fans to a glorious first half in which they were largely in control.

It was a different story after the break as Roberto Mancinis team began to exert control and, after Italy tested Pickford twice in quick succession, Leonardo Bonucci was on hand to force the ball home from close range after the England keeper turned Marco Verrattis effort onto the post.

England improved as the second half wore on having looked at one point as though they were in danger of getting blown away by a resurgent Italy.

Extra time was a cagey affair with few chances at either end before the dreaded sight of a penalty shootout to end the tournament. Pickford did admirably but it was his opposite number, Gianluigi Donnarumma, who emerged as the hero.

(Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

See more here:
Saka, Rashford and Sancho racially abused on social media after England Euro 2020 defeat - The Athletic