A police unit has been set up to investigate an increase in reports of racist abuse against English football players on social media following the Euro 2020 final.
A torrent of racist comments targeting several members of the black team flooded platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter after England’s loss to Italy at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
The National Council of Chiefs of Police (NPCC) has revealed that a hate crimes investigation is being carried out by a dedicated team from the UK Football Police Unit (UKFPU).
A Stand Up to Racism protest at the Marcus Rashford mural in Manchester after being disfigured
The team, which is working on the large number of reports from across the country, has already submitted dozens of data requests to social media companies, the NPCC said.
Meanwhile, four people have been arrested by local police forces since Sunday’s game.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Wednesday a 37-year-old man from Ashton-upon-Mersey had been arrested in the event of a suspected violation of the law on malicious communications.
It came a day after West Mercia Police arrested a man while investigating a racist tweet targeting Marcus Rashford.
The 50-year-old, from Powick, near Worcester, was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred following reports of an inappropriate tweet posted on Sunday.
Police Chief Mark Roberts, NPCC Football Police Chief, said: “The racial abuse targeting our own players after Sunday night’s game is utterly vile and has rightly shocked and dismayed people at across the country.
“Our England team have been true role models during the tournament, conducting themselves with professionalism and dignity. I am disgusted that there are people who think it is okay to direct such heinous abuse against them, or against them. someone else.
“The UKFPU investigation is well advanced and work continues to identify these …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-07-15 10:16:00