England defender Tyrone Mings accuses Priti Patel of ‘stoking the fire’ amid racist abuse of players

Home secretary Priti Patel has been accused of “stoking the fire” of racism by an England footballer after players from the national team were racially abused following the Euro 2020 final.

Tyrone Mings criticised Ms Patel for her comments on taking the knee last month, when she dismissed the team’s anti-racism protest as “gesture politics” and suggested fans had a right to boo the players if they wanted to.

Mings, who played in England’s group stage matches, responded directly to a tweet by the home secretary in which she said she was “disgusted” by the racist abuse sent to players.

The footballer replied: “You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ and then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens.”

In a separate tweet, the England player added: “Waking up today and seeing my brothers being racially abused for being brave enough to put themselves in a position to help this country, is something that sickens, but doesn’t surprise me.”

Three players, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, who missed penalties in the defeat to Italy on Sunday, received racist abuse on social media in the hours after the game.

Tory MP Johnny Mercer, a former defence minister, said of Mings’ tweet: “The painful truth is that this guy is completely right. Very uncomfortable with the position we Conservatives are needlessly forcing ourselves into.

“Do I fight it or stay silent? Modern Conservatism was always so much more to me. We must not lose our way.”

Marvin Sordell, a member of the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board, said Mings was right to be angry with Ms Patel for failing to condemn booing of players taking the knee.

The former footballer, who said racism was a “big factor” in his retirement from the sport, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “He has every right to be angry, just as I am, just as I’m sure millions of people are across this country as well.

“Because there was a massive opportunity to show strong leadership at that point. And I think it was very clear at that point, it was very clear before that, that players taking the knee wasn’t anything more than them trying to raise awareness for a topic that has again come up.”

But senior government minister Stephen Barclay sought to defend Ms Patel on Tuesday morning, telling Sky News: “The home secretary has repeatedly taken a stand against racism.

“The home secretary herself has been the subject of appalling online racist abuse.

“She has consistently condemned racist abuse online and she has taken action as home secretary against some of the extreme right-wing groups that are responsible for this.”

He later added that legislation will seek to fine social media companies if they fail to act against online racism.

In a post also published on Monday, England captain Harry Kane made clear that those who sent abuse to players would not be welcome to support the team.

“Three lads who were brilliant all summer had the courage to step up and take a pen when the stakes were high,” Kane wrote on Twitter.

“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.”

Their comments came after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Boris Johnson of failing to show leadership by being reluctant to criticise fans for booing the team for taking the knee against racism.

Although the prime minister said those responsible for the abuse “should be ashamed of themselves”, Sir Keir said that his words would “ring hollow” due to his past actions.

Former England player Gary Neville also accused Mr Johnson of condoning the booing of players and suggested that he had promoted racism with his past comments.

The PM’s official spokesperson did not initially condemn individuals who booed England’s players ahead of the tournament last month but the line from Downing Street changed days later to say that Mr Johnson wanted to see fans “cheer, not boo” the team.

In response to a request for comment on Mr Mings’ post, the Home Office pointed to Ms Patel’s statement in the Commons and her tweet earlier today condemning the abuse.

Additional reporting by PA