Man Finally Explains Why He Set Up JustGiving Page For Crying German Girl As Total Passes £25,000

The man who set up a JustGiving page for a young German girl crying after Euro 2020 defeat to England claims it was done to call out online abuse.

England ran out 2-0 winners over Germany at Wembley on Tuesday and cameras caught the youngster crying into her father's arms.

Sadly, the image was widely shared on social media and the young girl was hit with abusive comments, some of which were racist and sexist.

Joel Hughes decided to set up a fundraiser with a target of £500, but that target has been smashed and it currently sits at £26,589.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/litte-girl

Many have questioned why the fundraiser had to be set up in addition to how much has been raised.

The question of where the money will be going has also been brought up, but Hughes took to Twitter to offer an explanation.

"This shouldn't have to be said but here goes... The campaign is NOT just about a little girl crying because her team lost a football match," he begun.

"It is about: calling out vile online social media abuse; trying to add a voice of positivity into these increasingly intolerant times; intolerant, divisive times that are actively encouraged by our shambolic gov; show the world and our European friends and neighbours that the highly visible, and highly vocal negative minority in the UK do *not* represent us all. And that there is goodwill left."

Hughes has also received abuse on social media and has been sharing it as a way to raise awareness.

He continued on the JustGiving page: "Yes, there are more people affected by this than just this little girl but hey, this is just meant to be a token of goodwill. Yes there are other potential good causes - but I've picked this.

"I'd like to think that the parents of the little girl will spend this on a nice treat for her so that she knows that not everyone from the UK is horrible and that we care.

"No, I don't think this will change the world. But it can do one thing for that little girl.

"No, I don't know who the girl is (yet) but I know social media can sort that out."

In an update posted yesterday, he said he had 'some strong leads' on contacting the girl's family, and was 'in connection with some German journalists'.

Topics: Football, Euro 2020, England, Germany

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

@DanMarland_