Defender Tyrone Mings has issued a scathing response against UK Home Secretary Priti Patel and the UK Government in the wake of abhorrent racist abuse aimed at a number of England players.
The Aston Villa star featured in the run up to Sunday night's Euro 2020 Final against Italy in which Roberto Mancini's men emerged victorious following a penalty shootout.
Almost immediately after the final whistle, players including Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka were subjected to disgusting racial remarks on their social media pages.
The hate has been widely condemned, including by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Patel.
Three Lions captain Harry Kane insisted anyone directing abuse towards his team-mates are not wanted.
But Mings had a more pointed reminder towards Patel – who, in reference to the England team taking the knee before games in an anti-racism message, previously claimed: "I just don't support people participating in that type of gesture politics."
He Tweeted: "You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ & then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens."
Manager Gareth Southgate also spoke out against the racism, saying: "For some of them to be abused is unforgivable really.
"I know some of that has come from abroad, people who track these things are able to explain that, but not all of it.
"It's just not what we stand for. We have been a beacon of light in bringing people together in people being able to relate to the national team, and the national team stands for everybody and so that togetherness has to continue.
"We have shown the power our country has when it does come together and has that energy and positivity together."
