FA announces funding for police unit to catch people who abuse England players on social media during Euro 2024 campaign

The FA has announced it is funding a police unit to catch social media abusers during England’s Euro 2024 campaign.

Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rasford And Jadon Sancho were all the target of disgusting racist abuse after missing penalties in the shoot-out defeat Italy in the final of Euro 2020.

Although police have hinted in the past that they want to take a more proactive approach to hate on social media, the £250,000 commitment from the FA will allow police to implement this, the sport’s governing body said.

The group’s CEO Mark Bullingham explained the strategy ahead of England’s opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia on Sunday.

“Now we do things differently,” Bullingham said.

‘In the past we have put together all the data, essentially a package of evidence, to give to the police to prosecute, but this time we have gone a step further and are actually funding a unit within the British police who will then prosecute. .

Bukayo Saka (pictured) faced a barrage of racist abuse after missing a penalty at Euro 2020

Marcus Rashford (pictured) was also the target of online abuse after the 2020 final against Italy

“What we don’t want to do is create a pack that we then give to the police for them to prosecute, but they don’t have the resources to actually pursue that, so we’re essentially paying for the prosecution and funding it. the police to make sure that if there are any examples that we have seen before, they have been prosecuted.”

Bullingham said the funding would cost the FA ‘a sum of approximately £25,000’, but that would fluctuate depending on the number of investigations taking place.

“What it does mean is that there is a police tool available,” he added.

‘While you could go so far in advance by giving them the evidence package, but if they don’t have the resources to deal with it and to investigate and prosecute on their part, then it is difficult – but from our side it is completely inexcusable. ‘

Bullingham, meanwhile, praised match fans after it emerged that the Group C match against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen will be the only group stage match where low-alcohol beer will be sold.

“In recent years we have shown that our fans are great supporters of the team and have behaved well,” he said.

“Obviously you’re going to have a large number of people and that may be a factor to consider. We’re expecting – I’m not sure how anyone actually measures this – an estimated 500,000 people.

‘It’s understandable that they will watch it with that large number of people. What I would say is that our England fans have been an absolutely brilliant support to us over the last few years, especially in the stadium.

‘A lot of people come here. The best thing the fans can do to help us do well in this tournament is to pay tribute to their country

‘The German police have proven to be very good at policing football tournaments, so there is no reason why that should not be the case again. But actually the most important message is: support the team and support in the right way.’