Prince William ‘privately comforting’ England players targeted with racist abuse

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PRINCE William is “privately comforting” England players who were targeted with racist abuse.

The Duke of Cambridge went into the dressing room at Wembley to commiserate with the team, and has since been “in touch” with Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.

Prince William has spoken of his fury after vile trolls launched racist attacks on young Lions

The royal – who was at the final with wife Kate and son George – previously said he’s “sickened” at the disgusting trolls who targeted the footballers after their penalty misses.

The Duke of Cambridge, who serves as president of The FA, tweeted: “I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match.

“It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour.  

“It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W.”

And since the racist abuse unfurled following the game, a source told the Mail on Sunday that William has been speaking with the Football Association about how pressure can be put on social media firms to do more to tackle the issue. 

A Palace source said that William’s “focus has been on supporting the players’ and there had been ‘private conversations’.”

The prince was seen punching the air at the final – before the evening ended with tears for England after a mighty fight against Italy.

After the loss, racist morons began attacking three of the team’s black players with monkey emojis and vile abuse.

Boris Johnson is among those to condemn the sick jibes.

“This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media,” he said.

“Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”

In a call for tech giants to step up their efforts, Saka, 19, wrote: “I don’t want any child or adult to receive the hateful and hurtful messages that me, Marcus and Jadon have received.

“I knew instantly the kind of hate I was about to receive and that is a sad reality that your powerful platforms are not doing enough to stop these messages.”

Just yesterday, a building dedicated to the first-ever black professional footballer was covered in vile racist graffiti.

The Arthur Wharton Foundation, named after the goalkeeper, was vandalised with racist and anti-immigrant words in Darlington, County Durham.

Arthur Wharton became the first black professional footballer in the world when he played as a goalkeeper for Darlington Football Club in 1885.

One of the disgusting messages sprayed onto the wall read “we do not stand with the 3 Black Lions.”

And another said: “If the current rate of non-white immigration continues white Brits will be a minority by 2060.”

Darlington MP Peter Gibson said: “The Arthur Wharton Foundation has done much to promote understanding of the contribution of black footballers throughout our history.

“I am appalled by the vandalism, and the racism of that has been daubed on the murals.

“Our town is an open welcoming place to all people. Those responsible for this graffiti should be identified and punished.

“If you have information please contact the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Southgate embraced Saka on the pitch after the devastating defeat