England captain Harry Kane has told those behind the racist abuse of team-mates Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka: “You’re not an England fan and we don’t want you.”
All three players missed penalties in the 3-2 shootout loss to Italy in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final.
They were targeted on social media after the game.
“They deserve support and backing, not the vile racist abuse they’ve had since last night,” Kane said.
“Three lads who were brilliant all summer had the courage to step up and take a pen when the stakes were high,” the Tottenham striker added on Twitter.
“If you abuse anyone on social media you’re not an England fan and we don’t want you.”
Defender Tyrone Mings also took to Twitter to talk of his pride in the team reaching the final but added: “Waking up today and seeing my brothers being racially abused for being brave enough to put themselves in a position to help this country, is something that sickens, but doesn’t surprise me.”
He went on to criticise Home Secretary Priti Patel who last month described players taking the knee against racism as “gesture politics”.
Earlier, manager Gareth Southgate said the racist abuse issued after the defeat was “unforgivable”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Football Association also condemned it.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating the abuse and said “it will not be tolerated”, while the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) has also launched an investigation.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council Football Policing Lead, said police were working with Facebook, Instagram and Twitter “and enquiries are already being progressed”.
“It’s just not what we stand for,” said Southgate.
“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.
“It’s my decision who takes the penalties, it’s not a case of players not volunteering or more experienced players backing out.”
England and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham tweeted a picture of the three players wearing crowns and wrote: “We win together and we lose together. So proud to have team-mates with such top character. As for the racism, hurtful but not surprising. Will never get bored of saying that more needs to be done. Educate and control the platforms.”
European football’s governing body Uefa condemned the “disgusting racist abuse”, adding: “We stand by the players and the FA’s call for the strongest possible punishments.”
On Monday, League Two side Leyton Orient said they had banned a fan for life in connection with the abuse.
“The supporter in question’s actions on Twitter were alerted to the club late last night, and action has been taken swiftly to issue a banning order,” the club said.
Meanwhile, Premier League side Wolves said they had passed details to police after being alerted to racist abuse from one of their supporters. (BBC)
