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Tyrone Mings calls out Priti Patel over claim she’s ‘disgusted’ at racism

Tyrone Mings calls out Priti Patel over a claim that she’s ‘disgusted’ at racism shown towards the England players after defeat to Italy.

The 28 year old hit out at the Home Secretary after three footballers – Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka – were subjected to abuse on social media after missing spot kicks in the penalty shootout.

He was angered by a perceived lack of action by the government when some fans booed the players taking the knee before the tournament.

Tyrone Mings calls out Priti Patel over claim she’s ‘disgusted’ at racism

It has become a stance in sport and during anti-racist protests in recent years, and England players have been adopting it at the start of their matches.

Speaking to GB News about the England players’ protest in June, Priti Patel said she didn’t support “people participating in that type of gesture politics”.

Asked if she would criticise fans who booed England players taking the knee she said: “That’s a choice for them, quite frankly”.

Patel wrote after the cup final: “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.

Tyrone Mings calls out Priti Patel over claim she’s ‘disgusted’ at racism

“It has no place in our country and I back the police to hold those responsible accountable.”

“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,” he wrote on Twitter.

Mings said of the abuse of his teammates: “Waking up today and seeing my brothers being racially abused for being brave enough to put themselves in a position to help this country, is something that sickens, but doesn’t surprise me.”

In his first comments since the game, Rashford said on Twitter: “I’ve grown into a sport where I expected to read things written about myself. Whether it be the colour of my skin, where I grew up, or, most recently, how I decide to spend my time off the pitch.

“I can take critique of my performance all day long, my penalty was not good enough, it should have gone in but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from.”

He added: “I’m Marcus Rashford, 23 year old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else I have that.”

Boris Johnson and Priti Patel both condemned the abuse, but they have been branded “total hypocrites” by critics, who have highlighted ministers’ equivocation over whether fans should boo the national side for taking the knee.

Gary Neville told Sky News: “The prime minister said it was OK for the population of this country to boo those players who were trying to promote equality and defend against racism. It starts at the very top.

“I wasn’t surprised in the slightest that I woke up to those headlines; I expected it the minute that the three players missed.”

Speaking in the Commons, she condemned the “sickening racist abuse” that Rashford, Sancho and Saka had received, adding: “Racist abuse is utterly unacceptable and illegal, whether it takes place in front of people or online – and those individuals who commit racist offences should rightly face the full force of the law.

“Social media companies in particular have a clear responsibility for the content that they host on their platforms and they can no longer ignore some of the appalling, vile, racist, violent and hateful content that appears on their platforms.”

Johnson wrote on Twitter: “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.”

The PM added at a Downing Street news conference that those who had racially abused should “crawl back under the rock from which you emerged”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Johnson’s words of condemnation “ring hollow”.

“I’m afraid the prime minister has failed the test of leadership,” he said.

“Because whatever he says today about racism he had a simple choice at the beginning of this tournament in relation to the booing of those that were taking the knee, the players that were taking the knee – and they made it clear why they were taking the knee.

“The prime minister failed to call that out and the actions and inactions of leaders have consequences.”

Speaking in the Commons, Labour MP Zarah Sultana accused Johnson of being someone who “sanctions racism” with previous comments he has made.

“This is not freedom of speech, it is hate speech but it doesn’t come in a vacuum,” she said.

“It is promoted by those at the very top, from the prime minister, who sanctions racism by describing Muslim women as letterboxes, black people as piccaninnies, and refused to condemn so-called fans booing players taking the knee.”

Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane have both condemned the racist abuse.

Southgate described it as “unforgivable”, while Kane said the young trio “deserve support and backing”.

“If you abuse anyone on social media, you’re not an England fan and we don’t want you,” he added on Twitter.

The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) has launched an investigation into the abuse.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Police Chiefs’ Council Football Policing Lead, said: “Investigations are under way to identify the offenders.

“We have had excellent support during the tournament from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and enquiries are already being progressed.”

Fans reacted as Tyrone Mings calls out Priti Patel over a claim she’s ‘disgusted’ at racism…

@AntacsB: You was a hero & now you’re a legend. Thank you for standing up for yourself & speaking on behalf of millions.

@hayter_therapy: Well said. Taking the knee is not a gesture – it is a mark of respect, of the importance of people of colour in our society, and a recognition of the racism they so often experience.

@HeartOfTheHolte: You are a credit to #AVFC and the nation. It is an honour to have you at the club and we are so proud of you.

@Catherinelc94: You are such a credit, as are the rest of the England players and staff. You did right to call her out

@JosephCornforth: These England players have done more good for this country than Priti Patel and her ilk have EVER done in their lives. Fact.

@AaronjGray: I think the racists cost us this tournament before a ball was kicked. Booing the players taking the knee. The pressure of knowing that if you miss, people are going to get beaten up in the streets for the colour of their skin.. that isn’t something u can prepare for.

@DanRolinson: Absolutely delighted you represent Aston Villa FC 💜💙

@NoraMulready: Every member of the @England team is so impressive, courageous, dignified. You all have such beautiful solidarity with each other. Thank you for being brilliant role models when we so desperately need them x

@cooksleft: Fucking brilliant this.

@Allcheese1: You’ve just scored a worldy there pal. Oh, that’s good. That’s VERY good 👏👏👏👏

@Welshwhippet: Tyrone Mings dragging Priti Patel is the content I’m here for 👑

@swabraUTV: Nails it. Every time. So proud to have him as part of our club. And not a small part. A HUGE part. He’s massive in why we are where we are and why we’ll push on even further.

@blue6oy: Massive credit to Tyrone Mings for directly calling out our disgusting government who have fanned the flames of hatred and racism for far too long now. Let’s hope many more follow his and @GNev2 example and expose them for the cretins and cowards they are. We see you scumbags.

@n1ckevans: This generation of footballers r so different to the previous and it’s amazing

@AVFCFaithful_: Love you Ty. Genuinely makes me so proud you’re at the club with how much you fight for BLM and anti racism. 💜

@JDunnWilson: I’m sure you won’t see this Tyrone, and I’d like to think you’ve already come to this conclusion. But if Johnson invites the squad to Number 10, reject it

@kestrelsuper: Wow 😂😂😂 absolutely bang on by the way. Mad how the football team do more for the country than the elected government do. Go on the boys 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🦁🦁🦁

@ElmParkRoyals: 100% back your thoughts Tyrone. If you start a fire don’t be surprised when some people get burnt.

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