England's Football Association released a statement in the early hours of Monday morning condemning the online racist abuse of players following the team's penalty shootout loss to Italy in Sunday's Euro 2020 final.
The sides drew 1-1 after extra time, and Italy won the shootout 3-2, with England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who are all Black, missing spot kicks.
"The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media," the statement said.
"We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible."
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The England team also released a statement condemning the abuse directed at its players on social media.
"We're disgusted that some of our squad -- who have given everything for the shirt this summer -- have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight's game," the team tweeted.
We're disgusted that some of our squad - who have given everything for the shirt this summer - have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight's game.
— England (@England) July 12, 2021
We stand with our players ❤️ https://t.co/1Ce48XRHEl
And England captain Harry Kane denounced the abuse, sending a message to those responsible: "If you abuse anyone on social media you're not an @England fan and we don't want you."
Saka's club Arsenal backed their player on Monday and said it had processes in place to support him.
"Last night, we saw Bukayo Saka reach the Euro 2020 final at the age of 19 years old," the Arsenal statement said. "Bukayo has been with us since he was seven and the whole club couldn't have been prouder to see him represent England throughout the tournament. You could feel it right across the club.
"Last night we witnessed the leadership and character we've always known and loved in Bukayo. However, this feeling of pride quickly turned to sorrow at the racist comments our young player was subjected to on his social media platforms after the final whistle.
"Once again, we are sad to have to say we condemn the racism of a number of black players. This cannot continue and the social media platforms and authorities must act to ensure this disgusting abuse to which our players are subjected on a daily basis stops now."
And UEFA followed suit with a statement on Twitter: "UEFA strongly condemns the disgusting racist abuse directed at several England players on social media after the EURO final, which has no place in football or society. We stand by the players and the English FA's call for the strongest possible punishments."
British police said they would investigate the posts.
"We are aware of a number of offensive and racist social media comments being directed towards footballers following the #Euro2020 final," the Metropolitan Police tweeted. "This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated."
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also condemned the abuse.
He said: "This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves."
Interior minister Priti Patel, who had said she did not support players taking the knee ahead of the tournament because it was "gesture politics" and that it was a choice for the fans whether to boo players, joined those who denounced the abuse, but was criticised by England defender Tyrone Mings.
"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," Mings posted on Twitter.
The opposition Labour Party said Johnson and Patel were guilty of hypocrisy.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called on social media companies to remove such content from their platforms.
"Those responsible for the disgusting online abuse we have seen must be held accountable -- and social media companies need to act immediately to remove and prevent this hate," Khan said in a tweet.
Prince William also condemned the racist abuse of England's players.
"I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night's match," William, Queen Elizabeth's grandson who is president of the English Football Association, said on Twitter. "It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable."
Later on Monday, Leyton Orient, a lower league side from London, confirmed they had issued a three-year banning order to a supporter following reports of racist abuse during the Euro 2020 final.
"As the club has repeatedly made clear, we take a zero-tolerance approach to any racist abuse or discrimination," a statement read. "Further to the banning order, the supporter will be fully refunded the purchase for their Season Card for the 2021-22 season. The club is extremely proud of its diverse history, and continues to work with local authorities and governing bodies to enact change."
Meanwhile, a mural dedicated to Rashford in Manchester after his work in campaigning for free school meals for the most vulnerable of children in Britain, was vandalised.