Football fan sentenced for racist message

England's forward Marcus Rashford was one of three black players singled out in a racist message after they failed to score in the Euro 2020 final penalty shoot-out. AFP

A football fan was handed a suspended jail term in Britain on Wednesday for posting racist comments on social media blaming three black players for England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

Scott McCluskey, 43, from Runcorn, northwest England, singled out Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho in an abusive Facebook message after they missed their penalties in a shootout.

He admitted a single charge at Warrington Magistrates Court of sending an offensive or abusive message by a public communication network, and said he was “deeply ashamed” of his actions.

He was handed a 14-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months and ordered to 30 days of rehabilitation work on racism and diversity overseen by the Probation Service.

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