This past weekend was set to be one of the biggest in English football history for 55 years.
Instead, the country woke up on Monday morning having earned a much more concerning title. Racist.
The three penalty takers who missed shared many characteristics; young, talented and English, yet all people wanted to talk about was the colour of their skin.
In a country whose Brexit vote was partially driven by the misplaced notion that other nationalities are taking jobs, it perhaps comes as no surprise that many would also turn against their own countrymen due to having a slightly different heritage.
In fact, a YouGov survey into the issue has found that 90% of British fans think racism remains a serious issue in football, which was carried out an entire month before the abuse of the Euro 2020 final.
Racism should be an issue which is a rarity, yet politically it is seen as nothing more than a tool to push an agenda.
Black Lives Matter was created as an attempt to avoid further killings such as George Floyd, yet many teams at this year’s tournament failed to take a knee due to the perceived politics behind the decision.
Protestors throughout the country have been marked as radical and even have caused the prime minister to condemn their actions.
An end to racism and the need for racial equality is nothing more than an impossibility in modern society.
Studies find that racist abuse is actually increasing when polling citizens of colour, while white respondents claim that racism is getting better.
In fact there is a moderate growth in white citizens who say that white racism is growing.
No one should ever face any kinds of lesser treatment for the colour of their skin, yet a large number of the UK population feel they have the right to feel ‘superior’ because of it.
Britain’s racial divide is apparent.
Black people suffer twice the media and policing discrimination of a white person, with half of the population claiming some kind of mistreatment.
Statues of slave traders and colonisers who helped to oppress race are protected by people claiming it is a proud British history.
Black actors and executives consistently face discrimination and a constant battle just to share the same opportunities of a white colleague.
Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford highlight just how rife racism continues to be in modern society, and how those involved openly feel entitled to do so.
Racism has always been apparent, but now it is clearly a now undeniable national pandemic.
Photo Credit: BP Miller
