Jermaine Jenas spoke out on The One Show defending England players whose penalties were either saved or missed in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
Host Alex Jones, 44, was keen to hear Jermaine’s thoughts on the matter, given he had been one of the main commentators at Sunday’s match.
The pair explained that they were both sad after there had been so much “hype” for the squad but Alex was quick to ask her partner about his thoughts on fans’ behaviour following the match.
England manager Gareth Southgate said the racist abuse aimed at Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after the match was “unforgivable”.
(Image: BBC)
Alex kicked off: “But you could feel it, as you know [I’m] not a football expert but I think everybody’s hearts were in their mouth for them because we were just willing them on so much.
“And then today, it’s so depressing isn’t it to read that these so-called fans , their behaviour has been appalling these racist comments.
“So as these young boys who tried their best, didn’t they?”
Football pundit and ex Tottenham Hotspurs star Jermaine was in agreement, as he said: “They did, look it’s absolutely disgusting.
“You know the racists’ comments that have been put online towards these players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, in particular. Now we need to protect these players.”
He added: “These are the players of our future. These are the players if we want to win a World Cup, if we want to win a trophy we need to look after.
“And these are also the players that have been lorded throughout this entire competition and been loved throughout this whole competition as well and for one moment in the game for them to be treated as they have been.
“They’re not just footballers by the way they’re human beings, not just footballers and I think sometimes we just forget about that and it’s disgraceful what has happened.”
Jermaine finished: “Hopefully the authorities will get involved and make sure that those people who have racially abused people online are called out.”
Alex agreed: “Yeah they’re somebody’s sons aren’t they.”
Harry Kane also recently joined manager Gareth with sending a clear cut message that racism will not be tolerated.
Taking to Twitter, the striker penned: “Three lads who were brilliant all summer had the courage to step up and take a pen when the stakes were high.
“They deserve support and backing not the vile racist abuse they’ve had since last night.
“If you abuse anyone on social media you’re not an England fan and we don’t want you.”
It comes as England manager Gareth Southgate spoke out against trolls.
He slammed keyboard warriors who bombarded Saka, Rashford and Sancho with “vile” slurs after the heartbreaking Italian defeat.
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