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More Than 100,000 People Sign Petition Asking UEFA For England Vs Italy Final Rematch

More Than 100,000 People Sign Petition Asking UEFA For England Vs Italy Final Rematch

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition demanding that UEFA replay the Euro 2020 final

Robert Mann

Robert Mann

More than 100,000 disgruntled fans have signed a petition demanding that UEFA replay the Euro 2020 final clash between England and Italy with a "non-biased referee".

After a nail-biting penalty shootout under the Wembley arch on Sunday night, Gareth Southgate's brave side were defeated by Italy. Yep, it still hurts.

Luke Shaw fired England into the lead in the opening two minutes, but Leonardo Bonucci pulled back a second-half equaliser for Italy to send the final to extra time. The events that followed, though, have sickened fans to their inner core.

Giorgio Chiellini escaped with only a booking despite yanking Bukayo Saka down to the floor
Giorgio Chiellini escaped with only a booking despite yanking Bukayo Saka down to the floor

During injury time, Giorgio Chiellini lost the ball and was caught dragging Bukayo Saka back with a handful on his England shirt.

But in what should have been a red card for the 36-year-old Italian captain, he was handed a yellow card by referee Bjorn Kuipers - and fans are furious about it.

Almost immediately after the game, Change.org user Sharon Guilmen claimed the match was "not fair at all" and alleged that the match officials were "biased" in favour of Italy.

The England vs Italy rematch petition reads: "The match on 11/07/2021 was not fair at all. After Italy only receiving a yellow card for dragging England players like they were slaves.

Italy were crowned European champions after beating England on penalties
Italy were crowned European champions after beating England on penalties

"All the pushes, pulls and kicks and Italy [were] still allowed to win? Definitely biased.

"Italy should have been given a red card for their gameplay and the rematch should happen with a non-biased referee. This was not fair at all."

England's hopes of lifting major silverware for the first time since the 1966 World Cup were dashed after Saka, along with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, missed from the spot during the penalty shootout.

Disgustingly, the England trio have since been subjected to vile racist abuse on social media after England's defeat to Italy in the final.

The Football Association blasted fans who targeted Saka, Rashford and Sancho with horrific messages, saying it will do "everything we can to stamp discrimination" out of football.

Will there be an England vs Italy rematch? Probably not. But who knows?

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Topics: Euro 2020, England, Italy