England defender Tyrone Mings has condemned Home Secretary Priti Patel after three team members were subject to racist abuse after losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final last night.
Patel, who had tweeted this morning in reaction to the racist abuse that the players received last night, said: "I am disgusted that England players who have given so much for our country this summer have been subject to vile racist abuse on social media.
"It has no place in our country and I back the police to hold those responsible accountable."
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However, in defence of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who were the three members that were subjected to despicable racist abuse after missing penalties in last night's shootout defeat, Mings responded to Patel and tweeted: "You don't get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as 'Gesture Politics' & then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we're campaigning against, happens."
Mings also tweeted earlier this evening: "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. We have literally made history. We've gone where no one else has gone. Take that in."
Patel was amongst several politicians including the Prime Minister Boris Johnson who hit out at the fans responsible for this abuse.
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However, Johnson and the home secretary have been criticised for their comments as it has been highlighted that both members have chosen to not reprimand those who have booed the England team's anti-racist gesture of taking the knee.
Both politicians have instead suggested in recent weeks that England fans had a "choice" over whether they jeered the players' protest against social injustice.
The Prime Minister said on Twitter today: "This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media.
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"Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves."
Featured Image Credit: Credit: PATopics: Bukayo Saka, Tyrone Mings, England, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho
