Were the Euros What the Nation Needed?

Were the Euros What the Nation Needed?

After Euro 2020 was postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, we saw  England come together to support their team earlier this year.

Following England’s defeat against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, this year the England team has made history. From the men’s team winning against Germany, to making it to the first final of a major tournament in 55 years, this has been a summer for the country to remember. It reminded me of the summer of 2018 when the nation was united through football, Love Island and a heatwave - but this one seemed to top it.

Over the last year, the nation has been divided. People have been unable to see their friends and family and have spent most of their time at home. But the easing of lockdown restrictions brought hope to the country, alongside the England team. People have been able to watch England’s journey to the final with their friends, family and work colleagues. Sports stadiums, pubs, fan zones and gardens have been full of people smiling and cheering the team on. This may have been the positivity and rise we all needed after a year like no other.

Unfortunately, when it came down to the final, England came second - a game that no one will forget. Although we were defeated on the night, the country shared a month of unity, support and memories that it will carry for a lifetime.

However, within moments of the loss, the love and happiness we had all shared was soon invaded with hate from those that had sent the players racist comments  on social media. This is something which we have seen both the country and the England players campaign against previously.

Fans have shared their support and solidarity across social media and condolences for  the England team’s loss. In South Manchester, Marcus Rashford’s memorial was vandalised on the night of the final. Despite this, the people of the community came together to cover the wall with kind messages and love; some which Rashford shared on social media.

Other players on the team have acknowledged some of the comments themselves in social media posts. The England Captain, Harry Kane, captioned his Instagram post: “They deserve our support and backing, not the vile racist abuse they’ve had since last night. If you’re abusing anyone on social media you’re not an England fan and we don’t want you.”

The Euro 2020 has brought light to England fans after a tough year locked inside, something that the nation needed. It has also shone a light on racism within the country, something that if we stand together, we can stop.