Former England striker Alan Shearer has slammed the abuse that Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka have been receiving on social media.
The trio of players failed to score their penalties in the shootout against Italy in the Euro 2020 final, meaning Gareth Southgate's side were unable to bring football home.
The showcase final has now been overshadowed by the abuse that the trio have been receiving on social media, which has once again highlighted a major issue that these platforms have.
Shearer has now joined the many who have condemned the behaviour of some supporters, questioning why they would adopt this behaviour.
"There are so many positives for social media but also so many negatives," he told BBC Breakfast.
"The positives are that it allows a lot of players in the squad to show their personalities both on the pitch and off the pitch. We've seen some of the great work that Marcus Rashford has done, that Raheem Sterling has done.
"But on the negative side, what on earth are people thinking about when these guys have been brave enough to take a penalty? What are people thinking to go online and abuse these people?
"What is wrong with some people? It's so, so sad and ridiculous. I hope the social media companies expose these individuals, it's absolutely disgusting."
While England ultimately fell short at the tournament, meaning 55 years of hurt will be extended, Shearer is adamant that the players should be proud of their displays.
"Football can be a cruel, cruel game at times. I've been on the end of it and unfortunately these boys will feel so hurt, so angry and so disappointed this morning. It will hurt and it will for a while.
"But when you look at the whole picture, they should feel very proud about what they've given us. They've given us hope, they've given us smiles on our faces, they've pulled a lot of people back together over the past month and they should feel very proud about that."
