High Wycombe’s MP Steve Baker believes that the attitude of some Conservatives must change, after three of England’s footballers were racially abused following the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all received racially motivated messages on social media, after the trio each missed their penalty kicks in the shootout versus the Italians on Sunday night.

Bucks Free Press: A mural of Saka, Rashford and Sancho (PA)A mural of Saka, Rashford and Sancho (PA)

Following the abuse, several high-profile MPs such as the Home Secretary Priti Patel, and the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, have criticised those who have committed such crimes, but were slammed themselves for not taking a stronger stance in supporting the players when they took the knee throughout the tournament.

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Mr Baker told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It is a wake-up call to the Conservative Party of just how powerful our words are when we navigate these issues.

“We have to get alongside those players who are taking the knee and understand they are not saying defund the police, they are not anti-capitalist.

Bucks Free Press: A mural of Rashford was defaced in Manchester (PA)A mural of Rashford was defaced in Manchester (PA)

“What they are doing is saying ‘we suffer racism’.

“It is one thing to boo the referee with a marginal decision, but it is another to boo brave, black players who are saying no to racism and bravely going out on the field to take a knee and say we are expressing our solidarity with those who are suffering racism.

“What I am saying to my colleagues is that we have to confront the reality of how we are sometimes heard, even by people on our own side.”

Since the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 in the US, footballers all across England have taken the knee prior to kick off in their respected matches, as a mark of solidarity to those who have been racially abused.

Bucks Free Press: 01 July 2016 MP Steve Baker at Kite Ridge School Wycombe with pupil Declan Avery who designed the game By Anita Ross Marshall for News01 July 2016 MP Steve Baker at Kite Ridge School Wycombe with pupil Declan Avery who designed the game By Anita Ross Marshall for News

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The move has been both praised and criticised by members of the public, members of Parliament and by fans, with Ms Patel describing the movement as ‘gesture politics’ and that supporters had a ‘choice’ to boo the players if they wished when the tournament [Euro 2020] began last month.

Bucks Free Press: Jadon Sancho (left) and Marcus Rashford (right) also missed penalties. Jordon Henderson (centre) did not partake in the shootout (PA)Jadon Sancho (left) and Marcus Rashford (right) also missed penalties. Jordon Henderson (centre) did not partake in the shootout (PA)

However, following the wave of abuse Rashford, Sancho and Saka received on July 11 after the loss against Italy, she took to Twitter and said: “I am disgusted that @England players who have given so much for our country this summer have been subject to vile racist abuse on social media. It has no place in our country and I back the police to hold those responsible accountable.”

What Priti Patel tweeted

This was met with backlash, especially by Aston Villa and England defender Tyrone Mings who replied back with: “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.”

What Tyrone Mings said

Aylesbury’s MP, Rob Butler, who was speaking the House of Commons on July 10, also questioned Ms Patel by asking: “In sharing my and the entire House’s utter disgust at the racist abuse targeted at some of those incredibly talented and dedicated young players, can my right honourable friend confirm that she has already spoken to the police, who will ensure that they will do everything that is already in their power to identify and charge the perpetrators of this vile behaviour by people who sicken every decent person in this country?”

Mr Butler said in the House of Commons

Rob Butler MP asks a question during Home Office Questions

The racist abuse of some of England football team's brilliant young footballers is inexcusable and abhorrent. I was extremely pleased to hear the Home Secretary Priti Patel confirm to me at the UK House of Commons that the police will use every power they have to catch and prosecute the perpetrators.

Posted by Rob Butler MP on Tuesday, 13 July 2021

She responded: “There is no place for racism, there is no place for violence, whatsoever.

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“Quite frankly, there’s clear guidance and there’s legislation.

“There are laws in place that we absolutely should be applying and following that applies to the police, as well, to go after the perpetrators and the individuals.”

Bucks Free Press: Bukayo Saka was in tears after missing his penalty (PA)Bukayo Saka was in tears after missing his penalty (PA)

Since the final, several fans have faced the consequences of racially abusing the players.

Leyton Orient have banned a supporter for life from attending their matches, whilst comedian Andrew Lawrence has been dropped by his management and had his shows cancelled.

What Leyton Orient tweeted

The comic tweeted three racist tweets aimed at Rashford, Sancho and Saka following the defeat.