7News slammed for racist post about England Euro 2020 players

Seven Network boss James Warburton has issued a stern rebuke to staff over an “inexcusable” and racist social media post published by 7News.com.au

Seven Network boss James Warburton has issued a stern rebuke to staff over an “inexcusable” and racist social media post published by 7News.com.au on Monday following Italy’s win over England in the Euro 2020.

The post, taken down on Monday, accompanied a story on the site about racial abuse directed at three English players who missed their penalty shots in a penalty shootout that went Italy’s way.

The story was initially published with the headline “Three Black players failed in the penalty shootout which England lost 3-2 against Italy.”

Seven West Media CEO James Warburton in Sydney. Picture: Nikki Short

It was amended later in the day to: “Three players failed in the penalty shootout which England 3-2 against Italy” and prompted an apology from Seven.

On Tuesday night, Mark Ferguson apologised live on Seven News for the post.

Ferguson read out Warburton’s statement, which was issued Tuesday.

“That statement has the full support of everyone that works here at Seven News,” Ferguson said

Earlier on Tuesday, Warburton emailed Seven staff to say the post did “not meet with the expectations” of the business.

“Good afternoon, I wanted to touch on the post that was published on 7NEWS.com.au yesterday and to reiterate that what happened was a terrible mistake, unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the CEO said.

“A public apology was issued as soon as possible. The post was inexcusable, embarrassing and clearly does not meet the expectations of our company and the values that we’ve all worked so hard on over the past 12 months.”

‘DISGRACEFUL’: CHANNEL 7 SORRY FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POST

7News has come under attack on social media after a Facebook post pointed to the ethnicity of three England soccer players in their failed penalty shootout against Italy.

The post read “Three Black players failed in the penalty shootout which England lost 3-2 against Italy.”

It came after the Football Association condemned racist online abuse suffered by a number of England players following their Euro final defeat by Italy.

A dejected Marcus Rashford hit the post in England’s penalty shootout loss to Italy. Picture: Getty

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were all unable to convert from the spot as England went down 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

Screenshots of the 7News post before it was changed circulated widely on social media and immediately garnered backlash from users and critics including Football Australia, which described it as “disappointing”.

Jake Ryan’s post on his Instagram story.

Among those to share the shots and vent their anger was former Home And Away actor Jake Ryan.

“Did you … Actually write this!??? If so, it’s an absolute disgrace. Absolute disgrace!” said Ryan on Instagram who was an actor on the soap for several years.

The post was changed to “Three players failed in the penalty shootout which England lost 3-2 against Italy” before Channel 7 issued an apology on Monday night.

“Earlier on Monday, a 7NEWS.com.au social media post was published with a regrettable mistake,” Channel 7 said.

“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.”