That the missing of a penalty in a game of football has resulted in some England players being subjected to horrendous racist abuse is one of this nation’s biggest shames.
But the racism that plagues this country is not fuelled and manufactured by football and its fans - it’s the result of our political leaders and those in power validating and refusing to condemn the bigots who are, sadly, a part of the England fan base.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson - the same man who once referred to "the majority tyranny of black rule” when discussing South Africa in 2003 - may be feigning concern for the abuse England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka have received since Sunday night’s defeat, but has neglected to take responsibility for the part he has played in fuelling this country’s racism problem.
Over the years his quotes - like when he described people from Congo as having “watermelon smiles” - and his right-wing policies have validated and given rise to a section of the population who are now out-and-out racists.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville correctly condemned Mr Johnson and those at the “very top” for their role in the racist aftermath of Sunday night’s game, pointing out: “The Prime Minister said it was OK for the population of this country to boo those players who were promoting equality and fighting against racism.”
But while some England “fans” have brought shame on the sport over recent weeks, it’s in stark contrast to possibly one of the most socially conscious and charitable teams the nation has ever produced.
Sunday’s squad included national treasure Marcus Rashford, a 23-year-old footballer who has done more to feed hungry children than the entire Johnson administration, as well as other lads from working class backgrounds who have never forgotten where they have come from.
Marcus' England teammate Jordan Henderson helped raise £4m for charity over the course of the last year, launching the Players Together initiative to campaign and fundraise for NHS workers throughout the pandemic.
Even during the Euros tournament, when most players would be focusing on their own performance, Jordan made sure to reach out to a non-binary fan with a sweet message for them, and even scored against Ukraine while wearing rainbow laces.
Football is a varied community that includes men, women, children and LGBTQ people, not just heterosexual men - many of whom combine their love of the game with charitable community projects like Fans Supporting Foodbanks, a joint initiative between rival Liverpool and Everton supporters.
A lot of classism slips out when we discuss football and its failings, but we seem to constantly give our Eton-educated leaders a free pass - instead letting them jump on the bandwagon when there is a chance to capitalise on football's successes and wins.
Mr Johnson is on the record saying racist things multiple times over the years and has never suffered any repercussions. Instead, he has been rewarded for his bigotry by being elected to hold the highest political office in this country.
Pretending that racism and hooliganism is solely a result of football dismisses the fact that problems exist in all walks of life - "being tougher on football fans" does nothing to stop the problem but just moves it elsewhere.
This country doesn’t need to just be tougher on the football hooligans - it needs to be tougher on the people we elect.
