Petition surpasses the huge milestone
A petition created as a response to the vile, racist abuse England players were subjected to has now reached one million signatures. Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho were all recipients of racist abuse after missing their penalties in the final versus Italy.
What a place to be. A government too scared to invite the England football team to Downing Street because of the players' commitment to anti-racism. https://t.co/i2ujMIpcqq
— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) July 13, 2021
The petition reads:
“After last night’s match, vile racist abuse was directed at our heroic players Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho. Minutes after the final whistle of the Euro final, The Football Association issued a statement which said: “We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.
“As multi-racial football fans, we finally feel represented by this anti-racist and inclusive England team. We could not be more proud or inspired by our magnificent team and by their talent, bravery, leadership and love for all. Gareth Southgate’s England team plays for ALL of us. Their vision is an inclusive vision and this matters more than EVER – it’s why we feel proud of this team and why they’re so cherished and loved by many of us. There should be no room for racists and bigotry in football or society.
“We are calling for the Football Association and the government to work together now to ban all those who have carried out racist abuse, online or offline, from all football matches in England for life.
They can talk about whatever they damn well please mate.
What gives you the right to talk about football but they apparently can't talk about politics? I wonder what it is about a group of young, eloquent, working class black men standing up against racism that you don't like. https://t.co/dsp5XuZc3l
— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) July 13, 2021
“Our England team stood up for all of us – now we must stand up for them.”
The law currently has the maximum banning order at just ten years. However, this can only be issued for a maximum of five unless the offence it relates to carries a custodial sentence.
Under the law, the maximum football banning order is just ten years – and this can only be issued for a maximum of five unless the offence it relates to carries an immediate custodial sentence. Though clubs can blacklist fans, this is not enforced by law, nor is it policed by third parties.
This petition proposes that the FA and the Government work alongside each other to fight the issue. Though Boris Johnson, Prince William, and Priti Patel have all commented on the situation, at this time, these are little more than words.
