• I WAS having a drink with friends at a Kentish Town pub before the Euro final on Sunday when I was exposed to racist anti-Italian chanting by a group of white young men.

After enduring obscenities for half an hour I shouted “Forza Azzurri” twice.

To their credit the perpetrators showed some contrition once they realised that there was an actual Italian person in the pub.

No apology though. Other Italian Londoners reported similar abuse.

Gareth Southgate wrote an inspiring article defending his players’ decision to take the knee after criticism from the Tory government.

Southgate and the England players demonstrated how love for one’s country can be reconciled with inclusion and with anti-racism.

Sadly not all England supporters had the same feelings.

LUCA SALICE
Lady Somerset Road, NW5