7News Condemned For Social Media Post After Racist Targeting Of Black English Football Players
7News has been widely criticised for a social media post about three Black English football team players as they received racist abuse after the England v Italy Euros final.
In a Tweet and Facebook post, which have now been edited, the official 7NEWS account wrote: ‘Three Black players failed in a penalty shootout which England lost 3-2 against Italy.”
The Tweet then linked to a news article specifically about the racist targeting.
The way the fact that the caption specifically pointed out that the players who failed to score were Black, amid widespread reports of racism directed at them, has received widespread condemnation.
With racism a rising social scourge in Australia, on online platforms & athletes subject to vile abuse after #Euro2020Final + here in Australia, to see this from a major network in Australia is beyond disgusting. Reprehensible. There needs to be a public apology @7NewsAustralia pic.twitter.com/KXluoT6ZBb
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) July 12, 2021
Hey @7NewsAustralia – what the fuck is with this headline? Have you lost your actual mind? And how has the person who wrote it been counselled? pic.twitter.com/FmLDf8b2KW
— Charlie Pickering (@charliepick) July 12, 2021
Three of England’s players: 23 year old Marcus Rashford, 21 year old Jadon Sancho and 19 year old Bukayo Saka have experienced racist abuse online after each missed a penalty shot in England’s match against Italy.
Rashford and Sancho had not played in the game before the shootout – they were subbed in for the penalties. Saka took the final penalty after other players refused, having never before taken one in his senior career.
Bukayo Saka is 19 years old and had never taken a penalty before in his senior career. Having to take the decisive penalty in a European final when more experienced players ducked it shows his character. ❤️
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) July 11, 2021
In an evaluation of the match, Sky Sports gave Saka a player rating of 10/10, writing: “There is a line to be given here about how England improved after his introduction and switch of formation.”
“But the only rating worth giving is acknowledgement that, in the most pressurised sporting moment imaginable, a 19-year-old lad who had barely played for his country before this year and who has never taken a penalty for his club, stepped forward to take a potentially decisive kick when so many of his experienced team-mates stood back. England really should not have put the teenager anywhere near this situation”
All three players have received a torrent of racist abuse online.
I’m not sad about the loss anymore, I’m sad about the racism Saka rashford and Sancho are receiving for missing the penalties. Sums up the state of this country, we never deserved to bring football “home”
— William (fan account) (@OzilThings) July 11, 2021
7News has now apologised for the post, writing on their website: “Earlier on Monday, a 7NEWS.com.au social media post was published with a regrettable mistake.”
“The post linked to an article condemning the racial abuse of England football players following the team’s loss to Italy in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final. The caption on the post was swiftly rectified as soon as it was identified. We sincerely apologise for the offence the post caused.”
The officieal England Football team Twitter has condemned racism directed at the players, writing: “we’re disgusted that some of our squad — who have given everything for the shirt this summer — have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight’s game.”
Now, the three players have also received an outpouring of support online.
People are now flooding Saka, Sancho and Rashford's IG pages with positivity to drown out all the racist comments ❤️ pic.twitter.com/soBcsfCSIy
— Zing Tsjeng (@misszing) July 11, 2021
Rashford, who was instrumental in lobbying the British Government to extend free school meals for low-income children, had a mural of his face vandalised with racist language. It has now been decorated with messages of support.
Fight Racism & speak up always.
Messages of love left on Rashfords mural that was defaced after Euros. pic.twitter.com/KjhFVh8Cfo— LFC Views (@Mobyhaque1) July 12, 2021
British publications have also stepped in, with today’s cover of the Metro widely celebrated.
Monday’s METRO: “Lions Did Us Proud” #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/aUu0jmQhc3
— Allie Hodgkins-Brown (@AllieHBNews) July 11, 2021
Marcus Rashford himself also weighed in on the match and the response, posting a note on his Twitter.
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) July 12, 2021
In it, he said, “I can take critique of my performance all day long…but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from.”
“The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up. I’m Marcus Rashford, 23 year old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else I have that.”
“For all the kind messages, thank you. I’ll be back stronger. We’ll be back stronger.”
Latest News
The Mars Agency Announces Latest Findings Of Retail Media Report Card
The Mars Agency has developed a scorecard that assesses the capabilities of leading platforms across key criteria required to optimally plan, execute, and measure effective retail media programs. The scorecard aims To help brands efficiently evaluate their spending options across retail media networks in Australia (and New Zealand). With spending on retail media advertising in […]
‘It’s The Lesser Of Two Evils’ – NRL Eyes US Betting Market As Aussie Regulators Circle
US betting firms will be delighted by the circa 50,000 Americans who could soon watch the NRL on their favourite app.
A-League In Deep Discussions With New Partner To Keep Games On TV After Production Company Enters Administration
The A-League's insatiable appetite for scoring own goals continues.
TV Ratings (27/03/2024): Jungle Members At War Over Concealed Lipstick
A heated argument between two jungle members did the numbers for Ten last night, with I’m A Celeb obtaining a total national reach of 1,282,000. Fans were delighted as Candice Warner and influencer Skye Wheatley got into it over a stick of lipstick, leading Warner to dub the Instagram star “selfish.” Wheatley, best known for […]
Is The Australian Music Industry In Trouble? Inquiry Launched Following Splendour Cancellation
Earlier this week, an inquiry was launched into the challenges and opportunities currently facing the Australian live music industry in the wake of multiple festival cancellations. On 25 March 2024, the Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, asked the Committee on Communications and the Arts to inquire into and report on the […]
Liana Dubois, Leandro Perez, Aimee Buchanan & More Gather For Inaugural Compadres Leadership Event
Didn't get the invite? Perhaps you're not as important as you thought.
Cathay Captures The Unforgettable Thrill Of Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, Via Publicis
Nobody does rugby like Hong Kong, apparently. Certainly nobody does it as badly as Australia.
Cocogun Nabs Christine Watts, Kirsty Reynolds & Shev Tan Bolstering Management & Creative Teams
Cocogun bolsters its team with new hires. Committed to purchasing a bigger sofa, too.
The Media Store’s Jacquie Alley & Sam Cousins Take The Plunge With Pro-Bono Work For Cure Cancer
B&T chats with The Media Store bosses about their great pro-bono work and sponsored swim.
Hawke’s Brewing Co. Taps Rocket Comms For PR Agency Following Competitive Pitch
We're expecting Rocket Comms productivity to crash in spectacular fashion following this win.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Patties Serves Up A Taste Of Home For Olympians & South Sydney Rabbitohs Recommit To Gambling Reform
While the Rabbitohs commits to gambling reform, B&T reckons the team should commit to a decent auto sponsor.
Google: “Inevitable” That Bad Actors Will Abuse Ads Platform As Advertiser Account Suspensions Double
Google maintains it's simply impossible for it to entirely stop bad people placing & paying for ads using its service.
Quantcast Expands APAC Sales Team With Appointment Of News Corp Account Manager
No pressure at all when you are appointed as a client success manager.
Publicis Sapient Tests Microsoft-Powered Gen AI Search Tool With Homes & Villas By Marriott Bonvoy
Given Gen AI's record for mangling stuff, B&T cannot see the problem with letting it decide your next holiday digs.
Volkswagen & DDB Group’s “Roo Badge” To Reduce Kangaroo Related Road Collisions
Watch out for RooBadge as Cannes Lions' most debated campaign this year.
Twilio Launches Unified Profiles & Agent Copilot Features To Boost Productivity & Engagement
Agent Copilot sounds like James Bond's less interesting cousin.
Reebok & Honda Among New Clients For onetwo agency
OneTwo finally lives up to its name with this double billing.
Ogilvy Report: Throw Out The Social Strategy Rule Book, The Rules Of The Past No Longer Apply
B&T was puzzled that all 'influencers' aren't, effectively, 'virtual', but here we are.
WhiteGREY & AKQA Merge In Australia, Lee Simpson Departs
Fortunately, the combined agencies aren't opting for a trite portmanteau for the new name.
Splendour In The Grass 2024 Music Festival Cancelled!
Music fans all over the country reportedly relieved they can pack away their rain coats and gumboots for another year.
TV Ratings (26/03/2024): “Fairy Bread, F***ing Disgusting”: Gordon Ramsay Slams Aussie Food In Food Stars Launch
Ramsay not one for mincing his words, even when it comes to minced meat pies.
Paramount+ International Boss Doubles Down On Aussie Content, Says Ad-Tier will Grow Audiences And Revenue
Good news as Paramount will not be binning I’m A Celebrity for re-runs of Frasier.
Brent Smart: Telstra Pushing For 50-50 Brand-Performance Split But Warns Numbers ‘Won’t Look Great’ Initially
The old brand vs performance debate continues. But here, Brent is firmly sitting on the fence.
Crowded House, Tones And I & Dom Dolla Win Big At The Shure Rolling Stone Music Awards
B&T staffer reports back with humdinger of a hangover & feeling seriously uncool after mixing with music types.
Opinion: Dyslexia “A Hidden Gem” For Brands & Agencies
Dyslexics offer underappreciated benefits in the corporate field, according to this op-ed.
David Jones Taps Criteo To Power Online Retail Media Arm
Want to see ads for things you probably can't afford? David Jones has got you covered with new retail media play.
oOh!media Sets Up Team To Target Business Audiences Across Airports & Offices
oOh! wants brands to harass you every minute of your next business trip.
QMS Launches Australian First DOOH & TV Partnership With Samba TV
Samba TV, of course, is not a channel dedicated to dancing. Much to our dismany.
Slew Of New Hires At Amplify
Four new faces join the Amplify offices. Team say desk scarcity becoming "acute".
Adobe Announces Content Authenticity Initiative Expansions To Counter Deep Fakes
Try as they might to enlighten them, we suspect Trump supporters will continue to watch and believe Fox News.
The PR Group Appoints TechCrunch Senior Reporter Catherine Shu As Director Of Content & Media
Catherine Shu makes the bold leap from journalism to PR. Says inevitable pay bump was "unrelated".
HERO Nabs Ebony Santin From AMPR
Rumours Santin cleared out the stationery cupboard before departing are as yet unconfirmed.
Karena Noble Checks Out Of EVT Hotels & Resorts To Launch Comms Consultancy
Noble still managed to squeezed in a continental breakfast before departing.
Canva Acquires Design Platform Affinity To Bring Professional Design Tools To Every Organisation
Canva & Adobe face off continues. We're not picking sides but keenly aware that Canva's office is next door to ours.
“Lean On Our Team To Help You Find An Audience”: Why Understanding Audience Engagement Is Essential In Journalism
Engaging the audience is critical to journos, apparently. We'd thought self-loathing & alcoholism were key.
Adobe Summit: Major Gen AI Developments, Data Concessions & Partnerships
What happens in Vegas stays there. Unless it's the Adobe Summit and then you get to read about in B&T.