Alan Shearer has labelled abuse aimed at England players following Sunday night’s Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy as ‘sad and ridiculous’ and asked, ‘What is wrong with some people?’
Gareth Southgate’s men took the lead in the Wembley showpiece as Luke Shaw rifled home after just two minutes before Leonardo Bonucci equalised in the second half. The two sides couldn’t be separated after extra-time but it was Italy who clinched it 3-2 on penalties.
Marcus Rashford struck the post while Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were denied by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Early on Monday morning, England condemned online racist abuse directed at players while the Met Police said they were investigating.
Former Three Lions captain Shearer questioned the individuals sending the vile messages and called for social media companies to ‘expose’ the perpetrators.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast from Newcastle on Monday morning, Shearer said: “There are so many positives for social media but also so many negatives.
“The positives are it allows a lot of these players in the squad to show their personality both on the pitch and, most of all, off the pitch, and we’ve seen some of the great work Raheem Sterling has done, Marcus Rashford has done but on the negative side what on earth are people thinking about when these guys have been brave enough to go and take a penalty?
“What are people thinking about to go online and abuse these players? What is wrong with some people?
“It’s just so, so sad and ridiculous and I hope the social media companies expose these individuals. Absolutely disgusting.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also condemned the racist abuse aimed at the players and tweeted: “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.”
The Met Police have said they will be investigating and said on Twitter: “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.”
