This archive report was first published on 12 July 2021.
On October 11, 2020, Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One world champion, celebrated on the podium after winning a race at Wembley Stadium, where the Euro 2020 final took place.
However, the atmosphere turned sour as three Black England soccer players, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka, were subjected to a torrent of racist abuse on social media after missing their spot-kicks in the penalty shootout.
Hamilton, a vocal advocate for social justice, took to Instagram on Monday to express his support for the England trio, stating that the abuse they suffered showed how much still needed to be done in the fight against racism.
"The pressure to deliver is felt by every sportsperson, but when you are a minority representing your country, this is a layered experience," Hamilton said.
"Success would feel like a double victory, but a miss feels like a two-fold failure when it's compounded with racist abuse," he added.
Twitter and Facebook removed over 1,000 tweets and abusive comments, and permanently suspended several accounts following the "abhorrent" abuse directed at the players.
Hamilton emphasized that tolerance and respect for players of color should not be conditional, and that humanity should not be conditional.
