England stars Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho have been subjected to horrific racist abuse in the wake of the Three Lions' heartbreaking defeat to Italy on penalties in Sunday night's Euro 2020 final.
Boris Johnson and the FA are among those to have condemned the "disgusting" comments directed at the trio on social media following the game.
Saka, 19, was among three players who missed a spot-kick in the final, with the young Arsenal star visibly upset at the end of the match.
Early on Monday morning, the Football Association released a statement slamming the minority of mindless idiots who racially abused players online.
"The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media," the statement said.
![Marcus Rashford](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article24513104.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/2_Italy-v-England-UEFA-Euro-2020-Final.jpg)
"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."
Police have said they are investigating the offensive posts.
"We are aware of a number of offensive and racist social media comments being directed towards footballers following the £Euro2020 final," the Metropolitan Police tweeted.
![LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Bukayo Saka of England is consoled by Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England following defeat in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article24512550.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_GettyImages-1328223024.jpg)
"This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated."
Today, Boris Johnson has also spoken out about the online abuse, saying that England's players should be lauded as heroes.
"Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves," he tweeted.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called on social media companies to remove such content from their platforms.
![England fans](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article24513185.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Fans-watching-Italy-v-England-UEFA-Euro-2020-Final.jpg)
"Those responsible for the disgusting online abuse we have seen must be held accountable - and social media companies need to act immediately to remove and prevent this hate," Khan said in a tweet.
The England team also released a statement condemning the abuse directed at its players on social media.
"We're disgusted that some of our squad - who have given everything for the shirt this summer - have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight's game," the team tweeted.
![Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article24511766.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Euro-2020-Final-Italy-v-England.jpg)
Health minister Edward Argar has announced today a new bill couple help crack down on online racist abuse.
"We are bringing forward at the moment measures in our Online Harms Bill to strengthen how internet and social media platforms behave and their responsibilities to take action against this sort of behaviour," he told Sky News.
He went on: "Sadly, it is something that happens all too often on social media to our sporting heroes but also to many others, and it is right that, with the legislation we have taken forward, that we further strengthen the regime to tackle it."
![Jadon Sancho](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article24513248.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/4_Italy-v-England-UEFA-Euro-2020-Final.jpg)
England lost their first major final since 1966 in agonising fashion on penalties, with Rashford, Sancho, and Saka all missing from the spot.
Gareth Southgate's side got off to the perfect start at Wembley after Luke Shaw put them ahead in the second minute.
But in the second half, Italy took control, with Leonardo Bonucci bundling home in the 67th minute.
With 30 minutes of stoppage time unable to split the teams, it came down to a dreaded penalty shootout.
![Jadon Sancho and Gareth Southgate](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article24513264.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Italy-v-England-UEFA-Euro-2020-Final.jpg)
Despite Jordan Pickford's heroics, saving from both Belotti and Jorginho, it wasn't to be.
Arsenal sent a message of support to their winger Saka while Rashford was backed by his club Manchester United.
"Football can be so cruel. But for your personality ... your character ... your bravery ... We'll always be proud of you. And we can't wait to have you back with us," Arsenal tweeted.
United said they looked forward to welcoming Rashford home, adding: "One kick won't define you as a player or person."