England and Arsenal Star Bukayo Saka has urged Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to do more to prevent racist abuse online in her first statement since receiving a torrent of vile messages following her penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final.
The 19-year-old took a courageous step to carry out England's crucial fifth penalty in Sunday's loss to Italy, with his effort stopped by Player of the Tournament Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Teammates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho also missed their penalties and all three players were subjected to racist abuse on social media, with 12,500 abusive messages sent on Twitter alone, while a mural of Rashford in Manchester was defaced.
Saka says she was not surprised by the racist abuse she has suffered since her sanction failed, and called on social media companies to do more to combat the problem, while vowing to come back stronger and help England secure cutlery at the future.
Breaking his silence on Thursday, he wrote: 'I have stayed away from social media for a few days to spend time with my family and reflect on the last few weeks.
This message will not do justice to how grateful I am for all the love I have received, and I feel like I need to thank everyone who has supported me.
โIt was an honor to be part of an England team that leads by example, they are brothers for life and I am grateful for all that I have learned from each of the players and staff who worked so hard.
`` Helping that team get to our first final in 55 years, seeing my family in the crowd, knowing what they've given up to help me get there, that meant everything to me.
'There are no words to tell you how disappointed I was with the result and my penalty. I really believed that we would win this for you. I'm sorry we couldn't bring him home this year, but I promise you that we will give everything we have to make sure this generation knows what it feels like to win.
`` My reaction after the match said it all, I was suffering a lot and I felt like I would disappoint all of you and my family from England, but I can promise you this: I will not leave that moment or the negativity that I have. '' I have received this week break me.
'To those who campaigned on my behalf and sent heartfelt letters, wishing me and my family the best, I am very grateful. That's what football is about. Passion, people of all races, genders, religions and origins coming together in a shared joy of the roller coaster of soccer.
`` For the social media platforms Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, I don't want any child or adult to have to receive the hate and hurt messages that I, Marcus and Jadon have received this week.
'I instantly knew the kind of hate I was about to receive and that is a sad reality that your powerful platforms are not doing enough to stop these messages.
`` There is no place for racism or hatred of any kind in football or in any area of โโsociety and for the majority of people to come together to call the people who send these messages, take action and report these comments to the police and drive. '' Out of hatred by being kind to each other, we will win. Love always wins. '
MORE : Jadon Sancho talks about the missed penalty and the racist abuse he received after England's Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy
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