ANTI-RACISTS staged demonstrations nationwide over the weekend in solidarity with England footballers who maintained their “take the knee” actions at the Euros despite criticism and lack of support from the government.

Rallies organised by Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) took place in a dozen towns and cities, including Leeds, Manchester, Lancaster and London.

Home Secretary Priti Patel dismissed the footballers’ actions as “gesture politics” and Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to condemn so-called fans who booed the players when they took the knee before games.

After England lost the final, black players Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho were subjected to foul racist abuse on social media, and a mural in honour of Mr Rashford in his home city of Manchester was daubed with abuse.

Former player-turned-pundit Gary Neville accused Mr Johnson of encouraging the abuse, and the players’ England team-mate Tyrone Mings accused the PM and Home Secretary of “stoking the flames of racism.”

Public support for the players has been widespread, and the weekend’s demonstrations showed that it has not dissipated.

SUTR co-convener Sabby Dhalu said: “Attempts by Johnson and the government to whip up racism while denying its existence have hit a brick wall.

“When England footballers, many of whom experience vile racism on a daily basis, take the knee, they represent the majority of society who abhor racism and want action taken.

“Tyrone Mings was right to condemn Priti Patel for feigning disgust at the very abuse she helped to stoke.”