England players have been briefed by police on action to deal with racist abuse on social media ahead of the European Championship.

Mark Roberts, the head of UK football policing, revealed today that he explained the reporting mechanisms to the men’s squad preparing for the tournament in Germany.

He said: “We were keen to speak to the players, to make them aware we are committed to this. We treat it seriously.”

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were targeted by racist online posts after missing penalties in England’s defeat to Italy after the Euros final in 2021.

Mr Roberts, who is also chief constable of Cheshire Police, said: “If people think they can hide behind the keyboard … we will pursue it, we will prosecute people.

“We do find a lot of the offenders are abroad. We don’t give up on that.”

One of the challenges was gathering information on accounts from social media companies within the six-month time limit to prosecute offenders under the Malicious Communications Act but police say they are now receiving that more quickly.

Jude Bellingham: I go to work like everyone else and feel quite normal

Fans divided over controversial shirt as England lose friendly

Kit controversy and Harry Kane out as England gear up for Brazil clash

During the meeting at England’s St George’s Park base in March, police also advised players on protecting themselves online.

Mr Roberts said: “You can apply certain filters to your own social media accounts to try to prevent some of the stuff getting through.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Read more:
Forest appeal fails over four-point deduction
Harry ‘will not meet Charles’ during UK visit
Alleged sword attacker slashed schoolboy’s neck, court hears

England’s opening Euro 2024 match is in Gelsenkirchen against Serbia on Sunday 16 June.

They face Denmark four days later in Frankfurt before completing the group in Cologne against Slovenia on Tuesday 25 June.

Related posts:

New Philippines-linked COVID variant investigated in England after two cases found Lib Dems deal major blow to Tories with by-election win Almost all of UK’s COVID cases are Delta variant, says PHE FTSE 100 and pound dip as COVID fears overshadow ‘freedom day’ ‘Right and proper’ that MPs are accessible to the public, says Patel UK records 148 more COVID-related deaths and 43,423 cases, latest daily figures show Fake World Cup shirts worth £500,000 seized in police raids King Charles pictured recording his first Christmas message Nitrous oxide to be banned under plans to clamp down on anti-social behaviour Thief who stole 200,000 Cadbury Creme Eggs is jailed Patient declared ‘dead’ wakes up – as ambulance boss apologises Formal complaint filed against Labour by-election candidate after ‘antisemitic’ remarks