Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 12:55• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 13:16

Portsmouth has launched disciplinary proceedings against some youth players for racist remarks, the club said in an official statement on Thursday. The reason is photos that have appeared on social media after England’s lost European Championship final against Italy, showing some players of the Under-18 team making racist statements in a private chat. The players involved in the investigation have since been suspended by the club as long as the proceedings are ongoing.

Portsmouth launched an investigation after images appeared on the internet of players expressing themselves racist. “A disciplinary procedure in line with club policy and labor law will commence and will last a minimum of five days,” the English club wrote on its website on Thursday. “All Under-18 players have been suspended during the investigation. The players not involved in the disciplinary process have since returned to the training ground. The club will not comment further until the disciplinary procedure is completed.”

The club is also making an appeal. “With the investigation and sensitivity of this matter in mind, Portsmouth is appealing for everyone’s consideration when using social media posts addressed to any of our employees and, of course, any other third party.” The allegations came to light on Wednesday, July 14, when the Hampshire Constabulary reported an investigation into “hate-related messages”. “We will not tolerate hate crime in Portsmouth,” a police spokesman said at the time. “Any crime arising out of ignorance, prejudice or hatred is unacceptable.”

Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner also spoke openly about the situation recently. “There is no place for hatred or bigotry of any kind at Portsmouth or any organisation,” he said. “We will not tolerate this and appropriate penalties will be imposed on anyone who has engaged in racist behavior on social media.” Eisner would not say which players are currently involved in the investigation. It is also not known how many players are involved.

After the final of the European Championship between England and Italy, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho were faced with racist comments because of their missed penalty in the final against Italy. In Withington, Rashford’s hometown, a mural of the Manchester United attacker was defaced by vandals. Local residents taped off the graffiti and placed statements of support over it. The painting has since been restored. The police called the statements towards the black players of England ‘totally unacceptable’ and immediately announced an investigation.