Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has praised Bukayo Saka’s courage after England’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
Saka was one of three England players who failed to score from the spot, with Marcus Rashford hitting the post and Jadon Sancho seeing his attempt saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Despite being the second-youngest member of the squad aged 19, Saka stepped up to take the Three Lions’ fifth penalty. Donnarumma guessed the right way again, diving to his left to push it wide.
Having brought on Rashford and Sancho just before the shoot-out, there were inevitable questions about Gareth Southgate’s selection process in the aftermath. “That is my responsibility,” he said. “I chose the guys to take the kicks.
“I told the players that nobody is on their own in that situation. We win and lose together as a team. They have been tight throughout and that’s how it needs to stay.
“It is my decision to give [Saka] that penalty. That is totally my responsibility. It is not him or Marcus or Jadon. We worked through them in training. That is the order we came to.
“What they have to know is none of them are on their own. We win and lose as a team. Penalties are my call. We worked in training. It’s not down to the players.
“Tonight it hasn’t gone for us. We know they were the best takers we had left on the pitch. Of course it’s going to be heartbreaking for the boys, but they are not to blame for that.”
Gerrard, who made 114 appearances for England over a 14-year spell with the national team, shared a short message of support for Saka after the match. “So brave kid,” he wrote on Instagram, accompanied by a picture of the Arsenal youngster.
Saka, Rashford and Sancho were targeted with racial abuse on social media after the match, which was fiercely condemned by ex-players, commentators, pundits and supporters.
Southgate called the abuse “unforgivable”, while a statement from the FA read: “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.”
The England team also released a response via Twitter, saying: “We’re disgusted that some of our squad – who have given everything for the shirt this summer – have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight’s game. We stand with our players.”
Arsenal also issued a statement condemning the racist abuse aimed at Saka. “This cannot continue and the social media platforms and authorities must act to ensure this disgusting abuse to which our players are subjected on a daily basis stops now,” it read.
“We have processes in place internally at Arsenal to ensure our players are supported both emotionally and practically on this issue, but sadly there is only so much we can do.
“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.”
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