An online petition has been signed by thousands of people demanding racists who abuse players be banned from English football for life.
The response came after several England football players were subjected to online abuse when their team lost on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday night.
By Monday night the petition - set up by a group called The Three Hijabis - had gained more than 400,000 signatures out of a target of half a million.
The organisers urged the British government and England's Football Association to work together to ensure those who abuse players are banned from football for life.
"After last night’s match, vile racist abuse was directed at our heroic players Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho.
"As multiracial football fans, we finally feel represented by this anti-racist and inclusive England team," the petition on Change.org said. "We could not be more proud or inspired by our magnificent team and by their talent, bravery, leadership and love for all.
"We are calling for the Football Association [FA] and the government to work together now to ban all those who have carried out racist abuse, online or offline, from all football matches in England for life."
Amna is part of the Three Hijabis group that campaigns on issues such as violence towards women and racial discrimination.
"We were sadly not surprised by the reaction [towards the players]", she told The National.
"We had indications of it when the team took the knee at the start of the tournament and saw the response, the booing from so-called fans, to the reaction of our own government. But unfortunately, for many of us it’s just daily part of our lives."
She said she was encouraged by the "incredible" reaction from across the country, but said that "words alone" were not enough.
"Those perpetrating this behaviour need to be held accountable, and we hope that the FA will respond to this petition and start to address this issue with actions, not just words," she said.
The petition will be presented to the FA, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden once it has gained enough signatures
High-profile figures led condemnation against the racist messages. Mr Johnson said racism has no place in modern society.
"For those who have been directing racist abuse at some of the players, I say 'Shame on you'," he said in a Downing Street press briefing on Monday. "And I hope you will crawl back under the rock from which you emerged."
Prince William, who is president of the FA and watched Sunday's final at Wembley, said he was "sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match".
London’s Metropolitan Police on Monday said it was investigating offensive and racist messages on social media.
An estate agency in the UK said it suspended an employee after a racist message emerged on social media.
"Savills is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity among our workforce,” the firm said on its Twitter account.
The tweet said the company will undertake an investigation regarding the “unacceptable incident”.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
