The darker side of English football comes home at Euro 2020

What should have been a report on the joys of Euro 2020, despite England’s failure to lift their first trophy since 1966, I found myself searching for the motivation to complete my coverage of the Championships this week. The final had been overshadowed by what transpired at Wembley on Sunday.

Was it the lack of ambition shown by Gareth Southgate to put Italy to the sword, having seen Italy substitutes Federico Chiesa, Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile render them almost impotent as an attacking force as the game went into extra time? No.

Maybe the frustration of not seeing playmaker Jack Grealish unleashed until the 99th minute? No.

Perhaps having barely kicked a ball in extra time, Southgate had opted to bring on substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jordan Sancho to take penalties in the shoot out? No.

These are all football matters. Football that is discussed up and down the country about the ‘what if’s and ‘buts’ of all that takes place on match day. But what came next following those penalty misses was nothing short of disgusting and a line once more crossed at the expense of every decent England fan’s reputation.

Football and our opinions on it have been the lifeblood of this country for decades and has kept us ticking over in the darkest of recent times. You might not agree with my opinions, and I might not agree with yours, but it’s a game, and it’s the passion that goes along with it that keeps the fires burning.

Without attending games, the nation has taken to social media for much of the discussion. It’s been a lifesaver in many respects. Just being able to talk to somebody outside of the four walls, albeit virtually, has been a godsend for the majority.

Podcasters, bloggers, data analysts and supporter engagements are in unprecedented times. The fan family has never been so strong in England – inclusivity never seen on these levels up and down the country; everyone is welcome.

Following 18 months of tragedy, upheaval, lockdowns and restrictions, that the pandemic has bestowed upon us, Euro 2020 has been a treat. A real treat. A time to spend with family and friends and an opportunity to forge new friendships in making up for the lost time.

What had topped the lot and whetted the appetite; supporters back into stadiums. But for all the sacrifice and frustration, appalling behaviour brought the state of the nation’s game to its knees on Sunday. Images of Marseille in the previous European Championships of 2016 sprang to mind with the scenes in Trafalgar and Leicester Square – missiles being pelted at those watching on in restaurants. Some entitled right, to do what you want under the name of our favourite pastime.

Given the tragedy at Hillsborough in the late ’80s, the images of people charging turnstiles to get into the stadium were hard to stomach. The site of these people rightfully being stopped but then, in turn, being kicked in the head as just punishment? Sickening.

?? | NEW: People trying to get into Wembley without tickets pic.twitter.com/SOWTDaY7oc

— News For All (@NewsForAllUK) July 11, 2021

The fact that ex-professional Dominic Matteo decided against watching the game despite being inside the stadium on the eve of England’s first final in 55 years tells you all you need to know about the toxicity. Even a member of the Royal family, Zara Tindall, was reportedly wiping up blood from a fight that broke out in front of her. Charming.

What’s worse is that these so-called ‘supporters’ and those in charge of stadium security have potentially cost the nation hosting another tournament in 2030. For a supporter that had lost out on the ballot system to going to his first-ever England game at major finals, it’ll be tough to swallow if that is the price to be paid.

From already waking to a living nightmare on Monday morning, having witnessed England defeated on penalties once more in my lifetime, the endless replays of watching the spot-kicks were overshadowed with the accompanying headlines of players suffering racist abuse. A new low in defeat and the ultimate kick in the teeth to a night of terrible disappointment.

Abuse isn’t anything new, of course. David Beckham and Wayne Rooney were demonised, having been sent off at World Cups. Stuart Pearce, Chris Waddle and Southgate himself have all felt the brunt, but this was a new level of animosity. Both racially and politically motivated.

You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ & then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens. https://t.co/fdTKHsxTB2

— Tyrone Mings (@OfficialTM_3) July 12, 2021

The biggest shame is that the attitudes purveyed by Gareth Southgate and his squad over the past month couldn’t be further apart. They have been the finest of ambassadors to wear the three lions and will have inspired a generation.

Despite the riches of the modern game, this young squad has been grounded, measured and united when politically, the country wants to tear itself from limb to limb.

The left, the right, black, white, leave, remain, the masked, the non-masked, almost at every corner turned in this country, there is divide. For a few weeks, this England side and their outstanding attitude on and off the pitch had pointed to a better version and future despite the division.

Not only did penalty kicks cost this squad and management team of crowning glory, but the fallout has also defined the nation’s reputation once more. Winning would have only masked the undercurrent.

It feels like we are right back to square one in some respects. Unsafe and hostile football environments? It simply can’t happen. Football must triumph.

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