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Man charged in connection with racist social media message posted after Euro 2020 final

Scott McCluskey, 43, from Runcorn, will appear in court next month charged with sending an offensive/abusive message by a public communication network; Cheshire Police say the charge relates to a Facebook message which was posted the day after England lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final

11 July 2021, United Kingdom, London: Football: European Championship, Italy - England, Final at Wembley Stadium. Numerous fans of England celebrate in front of the stadium in Wembley Park. Photo by: Christian Charisius/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Image: A man has been charged in connection with a racist message posted on social media after the Euro 2020 final at Wembley

A man has been charged in connection with a racist social media message posted after the Euro 2020 final.

Scott McCluskey, 43, from Runcorn, will appear in court next month charged with sending an offensive/abusive message by a public communication network, a spokesman for Cheshire Police said.

The force said the charge related to a Facebook message which was posted on Monday, July 12 - the day after England lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

McCluskey is due to appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court on September 8.

A police investigation was launched following England's defeat when racist comments, targeting Black players including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, appeared on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Speaking at the time, Mark Roberts, Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) lead for football policing, said: "Hate crime in any form is simply not acceptable.

"The racial abuse aimed at our own players following Sunday night's game was totally abhorrent and has quite rightly shocked and appalled people across the country.

"Those in the England team have been true role models throughout the tournament, conducting themselves with professionalism and dignity."