In a deplorable cycle that has become all too familiar in European soccer, England players were the subjects of virulent racial abuse in the aftermath of their Euro 2020 final loss to Italy in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium.
Manchester United forwards Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka were the primary targets after the young trio failed to convert England's final three penalty kicks.
A mural of Rashford in Manchester, commissioned as a recognition of the United star's campaign to raise awareness for child food poverty, was defaced with swear words after Rashford struck the post with his penalty.