David Beckham has joined a host of famous faces in praising the England football team after players were subjected to racist abuse following their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
England penalty-takers Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were targeted on social media after they missed from the spot during a penalty shootout.
Beckham joined others including Line Of Duty actor Martin Compston, singer Lily Allen and more who have condemned the behaviour of those who abused the players online.
The former England player and captain responded to an Instagram post by British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful.
Beckham wrote: “These boys have ignited and excited our country for the past 4 weeks in a way that only football can… We are proud of everything they have achieved and everything they stand for… And they have done this in the most humble way… We stand strong @edward_enninful.”
Enninful’s Instagram post read: “Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka: you are the future – of football and the country. You are heroes – on the pitch and off it. How proud I am of all you, and the England team, have achieved.”
Knives out from some who had them knighted yesterday. Southgate and his team carried themselves with class. He led with humility, Rashford & Sterling role models for youngsters football or other wise credit to their country. Those that boo and abuse them are what’s wrong with it
— martin compston (@martin_compston) July 12, 2021
Compston tweeted: “Knives out from some who had them knighted yesterday.
“Southgate and his team carried themselves with class.
“He led with humility, Rashford & Sterling role models for youngsters football or other wise credit to their country.
“Those that boo and abuse them are what’s wrong with it.”
Boxer Nicola Adams said the “sickening” abuse of players and attacks show “exactly why football players are taking a knee”.
She added that England has “a very big problem with racism”, adding: “And this time it cannot be explained away!”
Well played England . First final In 55 years a great achievement . Only a year until the World Cup, a young side full of talent, who played well on the pitch and conducted themselves with dignity off it – unlike some thuggish boneheaded fans who deserve our contempt.
— Bill Bailey (@BillBailey) July 11, 2021
Comedian Bill Bailey congratulated England on reaching the final.
He added: “Only a year until the World Cup, a young side full of talent, who played well on the pitch and conducted themselves with dignity off it – unlike some thuggish boneheaded fans who deserve our contempt.”
His former Strictly Come Dancing partner, Oti Mabuse, also condemned the abuse.
She wrote on Instagram: “So so proud, they did so well – there is no need for attacks especially racial attacks in a sport that we all enjoyed equally – more so when we were winning!”
Mabuse said that although she is not from England, she felt “engaged and involved and excited to be apart of a beautiful conversation about sport!”
“Let’s support all of them and send them love,” she added.
Singer Allen criticised the “truly pathetic and entirely predictable behaviour from England fans”.
Whilst we point blame at social media companies for letting racist abuse through, that’s not the source! When those 3 lions stepped up don’t think they didn’t know what was on the line. They knew they risked facing racism by their supporters, and still they stepped up for you/us.
— Alex Beresford (@alexberesfordTV) July 12, 2021
ITV presenter Alex Beresford tweeted: “Whilst we point blame at social media companies for letting racist abuse through, that’s not the source!
“When those 3 lions stepped up don’t think they didn’t know what was on the line. They knew they risked facing racism by their supporters, and still they stepped up for you/us.”
BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker tweeted: “If #EURO2020 has got you into football, it’s disappointingly familiar to be mortified by the behaviour of a small number of fooligans.
“It’s also normal to not allow the bruises of the past to crush your dreams that… one day… it could happen. Win Together. Lose together.”
When England’s players took the knee last night, I was pleased to hear loud applause drown out a few boos. Then our black stars get horrifically racially abused after the game. This is why they take the knee. This is why I support them in taking the knee.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 12, 2021
Television presenter and journalist Piers Morgan, who was at Sunday’s game, said he was “pleased to hear loud applause drown out a few boos” when England’s players took the knee against racism before kick-off.
“Then our black stars get horrifically racially abused after the game,” he added. “This is why they take the knee. This is why I support them in taking the knee.”
Proud of these guys. To wake up and read the racist remarks aimed at them makes me so sad and angry. It’s completely unacceptable. It’s called the beautiful game. Racist Thugs make it ugly. So sad. @England @MarcusRashford @BukayoSaka87 @Sanchooo10 #standagainstracism pic.twitter.com/jasYWZttj1
— Peter Andre (@MrPeterAndre) July 12, 2021
Alongside a picture of Rashford, Saka, Sancho and Raheem Sterling, singer Peter Andre tweeted that he was “proud” of the players.
He added: “To wake up and read the racist remarks aimed at them makes me so sad and angry.
“It’s completely unacceptable. It’s called the beautiful game. Racist Thugs make it ugly. So sad.”