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Man charged with racist abuse of England players after Euro 2020 final


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A 43 year-old man's been charged in England in connection with a racist social media post following the Euro 2020 final.

A police investigation was launched after England's footballers - including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka - became the target of online abuse.

Scott McCluskey, from Runcorn in Cheshire, will appear in court next month accused of sending an offensive message by a public communication network.

Rashford, Saka and Sancho all missed penalties as England were beaten 3-2 in a shootout by Italy at Wembley Stadium.

Mr. McCluskey has been charged in relation to a Facebook message posted the day after England's defeat.

Speaking at the time, Mark Roberts, Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) lead for football policing, said: "Hate crime in any form is simply not acceptable.

"The racial abuse aimed at our own players following Sunday night's game was totally abhorrent and has quite rightly shocked and appalled people across the country.

"Those in the England team have been true role models throughout the tournament, conducting themselves with professionalism and dignity."

Bukayo Saka has since been on the receiving end of warm greetings from opposition fans.

First Tottenham fans unfurled a banner in support of the 19-year old during a pre-season friendly. And on Friday night, Saka received a standing ovation from Brentford fans following his introduction as a substitute in Arsenal's opening Premier League game of the season.

There have been increased calls since the final for social media platforms to do more to curb such racist abuse.

Saka himself said, "To the social media platforms Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, I don't want any child or adult to have to receive the hateful and hurtful messages that me Marcus and Jadon have received this week.

"I knew instantly the kind of hate that I was about to receive and that is a sad reality that your powerful platforms are not doing enough to stop these messages.

"There is no place for racism or hate of any kind in football or in any area of society and to the majority of people coming together to call out the people sending these messages, by taking action and reporting these comments to the police and by driving out the hate by being kind to one another, we will win."

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Bukayo Saka England Euro 2020 Jadon Sancho Marcus Rashford Online Abuse Racism

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