UNISON and Show Racism the Red Card are proud to stand together, shoulder to shoulder with every single member of the England squad and every genuine fan and member of the public who has condemned the abhorrent racist abuse that England players received after the final of the European Championships on Sunday evening.
This England team under Gareth Southgate has worked together to inspire a nation. They have broken down barriers and renewed respect for our national football team.
They have gone further than any England team over the past 55 years and they have made us all proud. They have brightened our summer.
But the reward, for some of them, has been abuse.
We need more than words now. The people are demanding action.
We need to know that this sickening return to racist abuse will not be tolerated under the law. Our government needs to hold rich and powerful social media companies and individuals to account.
Those responsible for abuse must be found and punished. There is no room for racism or any form of discrimination in our society, in our country.
The example has to come from the top. The prime minister and home secretary set the tone – in completely the wrong way – when they refused to condemn those who booed England players for taking the knee at the start of the championship.
The abuse suffered by those same England players at the end of the tournament demonstrates exactly why they were taking the knee.
Our England football players are taking the lead that our politicians need to follow.
We will stand with them.
All of us – united against racism, abuse and hatred.