England's forward Jadon Sancho, left, reatcs after Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, right, saved a shot during a penalty shoot-out at the end of the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London on July 11, 2021. (PHOTO / AFP)

LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday condemned the racist abuse on social media aimed at England soccer players after their narrow defeat in the final of Euro 2020, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from political opponents.

Black players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subjected to "disgusting" online abuse after they missed spot-kicks in a penalty shootout with Italy which settled Sunday's final which had finished as a 1-1 draw.

It prompted a police investigation and wide condemnation including from ministers and royalty, with Queen Elizabeth's grandson Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, saying he was "sickened".

"It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour," he said on Twitter. "It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable."

This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.

Boris Johnson, British prime minister

The England team has been highlighting the issue of racism throughout the tournament, taking the knee before all their matches. However, some fans have booed the gesture, with critics viewing it as an unwanted politicization of sport and expression of sympathy with far-left politics.

Some ministers have been accused of hypocrisy for refusing to criticize those who booed at the start of the tournament, but now condemned the racist abuse.

"This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media," Johnson said on Twitter. "Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves."

Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel, who last month said she did not support players taking the knee because it was "gesture politics" and that it was a choice for the fans whether to boo players, was among those who denounced the abuse.

Johnson's own spokesman had also declined to criticise the fans over the issue when asked but said the prime minister wanted supporters to get behind the team.

Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the opposition Labour Party, said those comments had consequences.

"The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary gave license to the racists who booed the England players and are now racially abusing England players," she said on Twitter.

"Boris Johnson and Priti Patel are like arsonists complaining about a fire they poured petrol on. Total hypocrites."

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More than 1,000 tweets removed

Earlier in the day, England's Football Association (FA) released a statement condemning the online abuse, saying that fans who exhibited such "disgusting behaviour" were not welcome and urged the authorities to hand out "the toughest punishments possible".

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.

Twitter said it had removed more than 1,000 tweets and permanently suspended a number of accounts following the "abhorrent" racist abuse directed at England players

"For some of them to be abused is unforgivable," England manager Gareth Southgate said at a news conference. "Some of it has come from abroad, we have been told this, but some of it is from this country."

European soccer governing body UEFA also condemned the abuse and called for the strongest possible punishments.

A Twitter spokesperson said they had removed more than 1,000 tweets and permanently suspended a number of accounts, saying the "abhorrent racist abuse" had no place on the platform.

British police said they would investigate the posts. A mural of Rashford, who had campaigned for poor children to be given more support during the pandemic, was also covered in abuse.

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."

British police made 49 arrests and said 19 of its officers were injured after confronting volatile crowds near Wembley Stadium while policing the Euro 2020 final between Italy and England on Sunday.

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Fans clashed with each other and officials, breached security cordons and charged into the perimeter area of Wembley before the start of the match, which Italy won after a penalty shootout.