A nine-year-old from Westcliff wrote a heartfelt letter to England teenager Bukayo Saka telling him he was "so brave to stand up and take the penalty" after the footballer was racially abused after the Euro 2020 final on Sunday. .
After Arsenal star Saka, 19, missed the decisive penalty against Italy on Sunday, he and his teammates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho received a torrent of racist insults on social media.
Westcliff's Charlie Taylor decided to write the letter after learning that people were sending hurtful messages to members of the England football team when he saw CBBC's Newsround at school.
A nine-year-old from Westcliff praises Bukayo Saka for being "so brave" in a handwritten letter. Image: PA
"I just want to congratulate you on reaching the final of Euro 2020, you played brilliantly," reads the letter from the young Arsenal fan.
โI am a midfielder and I hope to be as good as you one day. I also hope that I can be as brave as you one day. I think you were very brave to stand up and take the penalty. "
Charlie's mother Amy Taylor said that Saka is her son's hero and that made her son so sad that people were being horrible to the Arsenal midfielder.
A nine-year-old from Westcliff praises Bukayo Saka for being "so brave" in a handwritten letter. Image: PA
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She said: โCharlie already knew enough about racism and realized he was targeting Saka, Sancho and Rashford for missed penalties.
โIt really bothered him that there are such horrible people in the world.
"I've had a lot of conversations in the past with Charlie, like all of us, he doesn't understand why racism exists, our discussions have been more about what he should do if he ever hears racist comments."
A nine-year-old from Westcliff praises Bukayo Saka for being "so brave" in a handwritten letter. Image: PA
Saka, Rashford and Sancho were subjected to racist abuse after they all missed penalties in England's loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
The incidents have sparked a great deal of support for the trio from the public.
Charlie was one of many young children who sent positive messages to the team after their defeat.
