Despite the disappointing outcome of the 2024 men’s Euros final for England, it’s a relief that none of the team’s ethnic minority players could easily be targeted for the result. However, the horrific racist abuse experienced by three of England’s star players following a failed penalty shootout in the Euro 2020 final against Italy – Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford – is still fresh in many people’s minds.
Despite the outcry that followed, and many fans rallying behind the players, racial discrimination and abuse remain rife throughout men’s football. For example, newspapers recently used images of Saka as the face of England’s recent defeat to Iceland, and a fan was convicted of shouting racist abuse in a English League One match.
