Prince William and Prime Minister Johnson join in condemnation of racist abuse of Saka and others

BRITISH dignitaries including Prince William and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have rallied to the defence of Bukayo Saka and two of his team mates who have become the subject of racist abuse since yesterday for missing their penalties in the Euro 2020 final.

Saka, 19, born of Nigerian parents but opting to play for England was one of three England players who missed their sport kicks in last night's penalty shot-out in the final of Euro 2020. Along with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford of Manchester United, Saka of Arsenal missed his spot kick, allowing Italy to lift the trophy after winning the shoot-out by three goals to two.

Following the loss, several England fans have turned on the three players and have been subjecting them to racist abuse because they are black.  Rallying to the defence of the players, Prince William, second in line to the throne of England and Prime Minister Johnson have condemned the abuse as unacceptable.

Prince William, who attended the match with his wife Kate and son George, said: “I’m sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour and it must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable.”

Prime Minister Johnson added: “This England team deserves to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”

Former Nigerian aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, added: “The fact that these three young men can be subjected to so much racist abuse from white English football fans simply because they did not score for England last night tells you that all is not well in the UK’s much flaunted multi-cultural, multi-racial & multi-religious super-state.”