Bukayo Saka is one of the youngest football players ever to participate in the European Championship. On Sunday, as the world watched him try to tie the championship and extend the game, he carried the burden of England on his shoulders.
His shot was blocked in England’s last attempt, and Italy won the 2020 European Cup with a 3-2 advantage in the penalty shootout.
Saka is now facing strong opposition because of his skin color, as do other black or brown teammates who missed the penalty shootout.
The game is a 1-1 to 90 minutes rule and 30 minutes extra game. Although there was a stalemate for two hours, a penalty kick took place in the penalty zone.
Photograph by FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Each team will get five alternate shots, and England will lead 2-1 after two shots from each team. The two goals of the England team were Harry Kane and Harry Magill, a pair of white men. Their next three shots were taken by dark-skinned teammates-Marcus Rashford, Jaden Sancho and Saka. Sancho and Saka’s shots were blocked by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Rashford’s shot touched the left post of the goal and did not score.
Italy scored two goals in the last three games and won its first European title since 1968.
After the game, the British players comforted Saka. Saka was born in the London area to Nigerian parents and later moved to the UK as an economic immigrant.
Fans on social media, especially England fans, have expressed their opposition, but the fans also defended the players.
Yes, there is no room for racism. If Cavani paid the price in the game, he would be hit in the same way. When black players are beaten, all they do is go online and complain about racism, instead of accepting the fact that they let us lose the game.He’s fucking too bad
-𝑆𝑇☻︎𝑁𝐸𝑅-𝐵𝐿𝐸𝐸𝐷’𝐸𝑀 (@Puccy_mechanic) May 26, 2021
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The Football Association issued a statement condemning the racist abuse of English players on social media after losing the Euro 2020 final.
The FA is “shocked” by the online racism against England players.
-BBC Sports (@BBCSport) July 11, 2021
