A man who pleaded guilty for posting racist taunts online after three black England players missed penalty kicks in the Euro 2020 final against Italy in July has been given a 14-week jail sentence.
Scott McCluskey, from Runcorn, shared a vile status on Facebook after Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed penalties.
On top of his jail sentence, McCluskey has to wear an electronic tag for 40 weeks.
Warrington magistrates court heart he blamed “three ethnic players” for the defeat and then used a racial slur calling for them to be sacked.
Facebook friends of this pathetic individual were outraged, and one reported the matter to the police.
According to the Warrington Guardian, District judge Nicholas Sanders said: “The reality is these posts were sadly widespread and attracted national condemnation, rightly.
“They were grossly offensive.
“It’s something which is revolting – nobody should abuse anybody for the colour of their skin.
“To do so against three young men, clearly doing their very best for their country, is frankly sickening.”
Although there was lots of racial abuse on social media in relation to the final – either sent directly to the players in question or in the comment section of Instagram posts – McCluskey is the first person in the UK to be conviction in relation to online abuse after the shootout.
McCluskey must complete 30 days of rehabilitation and wear an electronic tag on Saturdays from 9am to midnight and Sundays from 12pm to midnight for 40 weeks.
