Estate agent Savills launches investigation after racist tweet ‘posted by employee’ following England loss
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Estate agent Savills has launched an investigation after a manager allegedly posted an “appalling” racist tweet following England’s Euro final defeat.
Thousands of people shared the employee’s Linkedin page and the now deleted comment, which was posted after the England team were beaten by Italy in a penalty shootout.
The staff member claims his Twitter account was hacked and the matter is “being referred to Greater Manchester Police”, according to Savills. The employee has been suspended from work.
“Savills abhors and has zero tolerance to any form of racism and racial discrimination and is appalled by the racist comments in these tweets,” a spokesman for the estate agent said.
“Savills confirms that the staff member connected with the racist comments placed on Twitter claims that his account was taken over by a third party and that the matter is being referred to the Greater Manchester Police.
“[We] acted swiftly and confirm that the individual is suspended from duty pending the findings of this investigation, which is being progressed as a priority.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the FA are among those who have condemned England fans who bombarded Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho with horrific online abuse after they missed their penalties during Sunday’s match.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating the abuse and said “it will not be tolerated”.
Mr Johnson said: “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media.
“Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”
England missed three of their five penalties. Rashford hitting the post and Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saving Sancho and 19-year-old Saka’s efforts.
In a statement the FA said: “We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team.
“We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.
“We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences.
“Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse.”