Police Officers Brief England Players on Online Racism Threat Ahead of Euro 2024
As England prepares for Euro 2024, police officers have taken the initiative to brief the players on the threat of online racism during the tournament. This comes in the wake of Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho being targeted with racial abuse following their missed penalties in the final of the previous championship in 2021. Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the national lead for football policing in England and Wales, reassured the players that the authorities will take any incidents of abuse seriously and prosecute the offenders.
Roberts highlighted that social media companies have become more cooperative in recent times, making it easier to prosecute offenders. He stated that his officers briefed the England squad at their training base, St George’s Park, in March. The briefing included advice on how players can protect themselves by setting up their own accounts and taking preventive measures. Roberts emphasized that support would be available to the players and reiterated the commitment to deal with any instances of online abuse.
The warning from Roberts comes as preparations are underway to deploy the largest number of British police officers to an overseas tournament in over a decade. With hundreds of thousands of fans expected to travel next month, the authorities are taking steps to ensure security and safety. Roberts expressed concern over the online abuse faced by black players and commended the efforts made in collaboration with social media companies to address this issue.
In the past, it took upwards of six months for social media companies to provide the necessary details for investigations. However, there has been a positive shift recently, with improved cooperation leading to quicker turnaround times. Roberts emphasized that individuals who engage in such behavior will be held accountable, even if they believe they can remain anonymous. He urged them to consider the consequences of their actions and highlighted that they could face losing their jobs or being expelled from university.
With more than 300,000 UK fans expected to travel to Germany for Euro 2024, Roberts acknowledged the challenges faced in previous tournaments held in Qatar and Russia due to financial and logistical constraints. However, he expressed optimism about the accessibility of the upcoming tournament and praised the organization of the hosts, Germany.
While security concerns persist, especially after threats were made against Champions League venues by a media outlet supporting the Islamic State group, Roberts expressed confidence in the Germans’ ability to handle the situation effectively. He noted that there are always concerns going into any tournament but highlighted Germany as a host that has a firm grasp on security measures.
When asked about the potential targeting of England fans and the overall concern regarding hooliganism, Roberts acknowledged the incidents involving Russian supporters during Euro 2016 and stated that they are mindful of such possibilities. However, he noted that there is often a difference in behavior between club competitions and national teams, making it difficult to predict behavior solely based on club-related incidents.
As England prepares for Euro 2024, the briefing provided by police officers serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against online racism. By taking proactive measures and offering support to the players, the authorities aim to create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants. The improved cooperation with social media companies is a step in the right direction, ensuring that perpetrators can be held accountable for their actions. With the deployment of a significant number of police officers and the confidence placed in Germany as hosts, efforts are being made to ensure a successful and secure tournament.