A man has been arrested over the racist abuse of England players on social media following Sunday’s Euro 2020 final defeat.

Greater Manchester Police said the 37-year-old from Ashton-Upon-Mersey was arrested on suspicion of an offence under the Malicious Communications Act, after he went to Cheadle Heath police station on Wednesday morning.

He remains in custody for questioning.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subjected to a torrent of racist abuse on social media after they failed to score in the penalty shoot-out against Italy on Sunday.

Detective Inspector Matt Gregory, of GMP’s Trafford division, said: “The actions of a small number of people overshadowed what was a hugely unifying event for our country on Sunday evening.

“We are firm in our commitment, any racist abuse whether online or off is not acceptable.

“We now have one man in custody and our investigation continues.”

It follows the arrest of a man on Tuesday by police investigating a racist tweet aimed at Rashford.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

West Mercia Police said the 50-year-old, from Powick, near Worcester, was detained on suspicion of inciting racial hatred following reports of an inappropriate tweet posted on Sunday.

The man, who was not named by police, has since been released under investigation.

Inspector Pete Nightingale, from Worcester police station, said: “We encourage people to make these reports and are pleased with the speed at which we have been able to deal with this incident.

“We continue to work with the local football community and have links with the local clubs to ensure that this behaviour is dealt with appropriately.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Other England players, manager Gareth Southgate, the Football Association and politicians including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel have since condemned the abuse.

There has been an outpouring of support from the public for the trio, with hundreds of fans gathering to leave messages at a mural of Rashford in Manchester after it was defaced by vandals.

The PM has said he is “taking practical steps to ensure that the football banning order regime is changed” to cover online racism.

However, both Mr Johnson and Ms Patel have been accused of “stoking hatred and division” over their responses to the issue of England players taking the knee before matches to protest against racial injustice.

Related posts:

Two escaped dogs who killed great-grandmother ‘humanely destroyed’ ‘Hundreds’ found and several arrested at illegal raves over Bank Holiday weekend See results where you live Police patrols increased in Bromley after reports of ‘perceived’ attempted abductions Calls for word ‘curry’ to be cancelled over claims it is rooted in British colonialism Number of people waiting for hospital treatment in England hits record high again How will controversial pushback tactics to deter migrants from reaching UK be used in the Channel? ‘Dangerous predator’ blackmailed 2,000 victims and sold ‘box sets’ of abuse to paedophiles Watch as iconic 600ft Longannet power station chimney comes crashing down in demolition Prince Andrew’s accuser not motivated by ‘purely financial settlement’ Stand-off where man barricaded himself in house with son ends after police force way inside People will die in cold homes, warns alliance of charities urging government action