A petition to ban racists from all football matches for life has hit 1,000,000 signatures. This comes after England players were subject to <a href="https://vt.co/news/celebs-and-politicians-speak-out-as-england-stars-are-hit-with-racist-abuse-following-euros-defeat">widely condemned racist abuse</a> after the team lost their first major final since 1966 through penalty shootouts against Italy. Players Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho were mostly subject to the abuse - but have received an outpouring of support from high-profile names like captain Harry Kane, who condemned the vile comments. Kane <a href="https://twitter.com/HKane/status/1414639048031805441">wrote</a> of the abuse they have received: "Three lads who were brilliant all summer had the courage to step up and take a pen when the stakes were high. They deserve support and backing not the vile racist abuse they've had since last night. "If you abuse anyone on social media you're not an England fan and we don't want you." <img class="wp-image-1263117602 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/07/Football-2.jpg" alt="England players in the Euro 2020 tournament." width="600" height="760" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Alamy / Sportimage]] Others have signed the petition - titled "Ban racists for life from all football matches in England" - to show their support, and it has since garnered over 1,026,000 signatures since its creation on July 12. The <a href="https://www.change.org/p/football-association-and-oliver-dowden-sec-of-state-dcms-pm-boris-johnson-ban-racists-for-life-from-all-football-matches-in-england" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">petition</a> reads: "After [Sunday's] match, vile racist abuse was directed at our heroic players Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho. Minutes after the final whistle of the Euro final, The Football Association issued a statement which said: 'We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behavior is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible'. "As multi-racial football fans, we finally feel represented by this anti-racist and inclusive England team. We could not be more proud or inspired by our magnificent team and by their talent, bravery, leadership, and love for all. Gareth Southgate’s England team plays for ALL of us." <img class="wp-image-1263117600 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/07/Football-1.jpg" alt="The England team." width="760" height="570" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Alamy / Mark Pain]] "Our England team stood up for all of us - now we must stand up for them," it concludes. As well as signing the petition, some people have also taken to the comments section to express their disdain for what took place after the Euro 2020 final. James Smith wrote: "I'm sick of a minority of English people dragging the name of the country [through] the dirt with their disgusting actions. "It's time that they were faced with the consequences of their actions." <img class="wp-image-1263117603 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-13-at-17.06.03.png" alt="A Change.org comment." width="778" height="238" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Change.org]] Signee Joanna Elsley added: "There is no place for racism in this world. I want my children to grow in a world full of love peace & positivity where everyone is equal & respected [sic]." <img class="wp-image-1263117604 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-13-at-17.07.13.png" alt="A change.org comment." width="751" height="200" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Change.org]] Since the petition reached a million signatures, it has become one of the most-signed petitions on Change.org. <h6>Featured image credit: Alamy / kolvenbach</h6>

Petition to ban racists from all football matches for life hits 1,000,000 signatures

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