British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed disgust at racial abuse targeting England’s football stars after they lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy on a penalty shoot-out on Sundaty nigyht.

Three England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka, who missed  penalties during the shootout with Italy were the victims of a stream of abuse on social media platforms.

The PM in a tweet on Monday morning clarified that the England team deserves to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media adding that those responsible for the appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”

While some people identifying as England fans used racial slurs in blaming the trio for the defeat, other offensive messages were accompanied with “Forza italia” hashtags.

England’s players have made a strong stand against racism at the tournament, taking a knee before their games including Sunday’s final.

London’s police force tweeted that they were aware of “a number of offensive and racist social media comments” being directed towards the footballers.

The police on its part also condemned the abuse saying it is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated.

Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat demanded that social media companies take action.

“Social media has algorithms that targets ads to you but won’t stop the racist abuse against some exemplary young men,” he tweeted.

“Those who write are pathetic and deserve to be identified and face the public consequences, those who publish it are profiting from hate.”