“Where are the racists now?” - Rio Ferdinand reacts as England secure penalty redemption at Euro 2024
Former England international defender Rio Ferdinand hit back on social media, asking where all the racists are following the Three Lions' Euro 2024 performances. While the English national team has not played spectacularly, they have ground out results to book their place in the semifinals against The Netherlands in Dortmund.
This performance comes three years after their last odessey in the European Championships that saw the Three Lions make it to the final and lose to Italy on penalties. The loss was the first time England made it to the final of the tournament in their history, but the occasion was ruined by racist fans who singled out black players for abuse.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka, players of African/Caribbean origins, missed their penalties in the final and were the targets of abuse from some fans. Saka, the only one of the trio at Euro 2024, bagged the equalizer and converted his spot-kick in the shootout to help put the Three Lions in the semifinals.
Rio Ferdinand's post read:
"Where are the racists now? probably still celebrating!"
The Three Lions will hope they can win the trophy in Berlin on July 14 with their diverse contingent of players and silence their haters.
England manager Gareth Southgate hails Bukayo Saka after Euro 2024 performance
England manager Gareth Southgate hailed Bukayo Saka for his decisive showing in the Three Lions' Euro 2024 quarterfinal match against Switzerland.
Southgate hailed the young winger's resilience and said via Fotmob:
"It was so brave from Bukayo, he is one of our best and we were never in question he would take one. But we all knew what he went through.
"In the end the players have to do it and deliver. For players to come into the game and do what they did, for someone like Bukayo having been what he's been through to go through that pressure [is great]."
England next face The Netherlands in the semifinals of Euro 2024 where they hope Bukayo Saka can continue playing a decisive role in their fortunes. The London-born winger is one of the best players in the world and will be important if the Three Lions stand any chance of ending their 58-year trophy drought.