So embarrassed to be English today

[UpSlyDown]

Usually I am slightly defensive of the criticism the English get but today I feel like I have nothing left to defend. Riots, defacing murals of wonderful role models for our children, racism, violence. Horrendous behaviour from a considerable number of English fans. We are just playing up to the thuggish, drunk, stupid stereotypes. That along with the decision to just open everything up which has been highly criticised for being bonkers, the never-ending shame of Brexit. For the first time I feel embarrassed to be English and associated with any of this. Having said that, I personally don't know a single person who behaved badly post match or spewed vile racism online (thank god). I also mainly socialise/spend time with left wing remainers it seems.

Does anyone feel the same? Are there any redeeming features of the English or are we doomed to be the laughing stock of the world? I was so proud of our football team (still am) and the unity and excitement everyone felt. Part of me thinks this would have been so different if we won but why should it be?! We should be able to respond to a disappointment like rational adults instead of abusive idiots.

How do you feel about the overwhelming majority, we are talking millions upon millions of people who find the actions of these people abhorrent? It is not the majority of the country at all hurling racist abuse at players or tearing up the streets (although standard behaviour most weekends in city centres by drunk men- that's the cause not football), and yes of course that doesn't make it okay, but its weird how the actions of the overwhelming majority are overriden by the few who scream the loudest as if they don't exist and everyone feels the same. I hope each and every one of those who felt it their right to hop onto the Internet and make vile comments is found and recieves punishment, not minimising it, but there are thousands of positive and supportive comments and people calling out the arsholes; yet looking at MN you'd think that wasn't the case. Any is unacceptable, but not sure how we can move forward and change things if people dont see that there is push back, that that there are loads who don't feel that way and want change if everyone throws their hands up and proclaims how terrible the country is, how embarrassed they are and shy away rather than try and address it.

Do you look at other countries and find the worst examples of behaviour and assume its the case for the whole country?

The racist abuse is totally unacceptable. The violence and destruction is unacceptable. There are hooligans in all nations . Some footballers in South America have actually been shot after losing a game. Hopefully the police will identify the hooligans and they will be barred from all football stadia .

I'm embarrassed to be Scottish. The insults and words being shouted at the screen last night in the pub were absolutely vile. Vile. I can't stand the anti-English attitude around here, it's not OK.

Ugh this thread has given me rage.
"It's not just us. Hooligans are everywhere".
So that makes it ok? To just shrug it off. The thuggery, racism and rioting of a substantial number of people? Beating Italian fans lying on the ground. The booing of other teams' national anthems (which btw no other clubs did). The storming of the stadium which again, I don't recall seeing in recent years. Many English fans have behaved disgustingly. Seeing the comments here basically saying "ah well, it happens everywhere" is sickening.
So does violence against women, and against black people, and against LGBTQ. But ah well, it happens in other places too, it's not just us, so yabu op. Fuck off.

Yanbu op and I have many friends saying similar today

But it isn’t English people is it!

It’s SOME football FANS from all over the WORLD, not just England!

Haven’t felt proud to be British in a long time, maybe ever I guess.

@Howcanthisbe123

But it isn’t English people is it!

It’s SOME football FANS from all over the WORLD, not just England!

This!

You should be very proud of the young lads on the English team, they are absolutely amazing lads and the whole country should be filled with pride about them.

Imagine your son was playing for England and was brave enough to stand up and take a penalty like that, that are absolute heroes. Great lads. Look towards them and not anyone else. Celebrate getting to the final, that is a HUGE achievement.

@Legomania

Oh op get over yourself. By all means be angry at the scum that behave like that but this self-flagellating is just tedious.

Agree

@Howcanthisbe123

But it isn’t English people is it!

It’s SOME football FANS from all over the WORLD, not just England!

Let's be frank, it's men. The overwhelming majority of those who partake are men, they are the problem, and not just here. But society is always quick to try and hide that fact by overwriting it with football, or whatever else is going on, but violent men are a global issue.

@HmmmmmmInteresting

Does this happen in other countries? Is it just us?

Most likely not but I didn't see this kind of abuse make headlines around the world when Mbappe missed the penalty that knocked France out.

England is xenophobic and jingoistic now thanks to Brexit and that shower of racists in the cabinet.

You're kidding right? There are hooligans in every football nation, have you ever seen the Roma hooligans in action?

@Itsprobablynotcominghome

Haven’t felt proud to be British in a long time, maybe ever I guess.

Meant English. Haha, not sure I can even make myself refer to myself as English. Probably not a good sign.

So every right leaning brexiteer is a thug then?

I have friends and family who are of that political persuasion. Not one single one has acted in a racist manor, not turned into a hooligan. Don't tar everyone with the same brush.

The behaviour of this people last night is absolutely despicable, along with those horrifically trolling those poor players. However, with everything, you only ever tend to hear/see the bad.

The few do not make the masses.

Why on earth do you feel embarrassed by the behaviour of other people? Yes, it's utterly shameful - and in that I include thuggish England fans, racists, thuggish Italian fans and dirty Italian players - but why would YOU feel any shame for THEIR behaviour?

Personally, I can't think of one person I know who would behave like that and hell would freeze over before I behaved like myself. They are a disgrace - to themselves.

I agree somewhat OP.

I’m not taking on board any idiocy from others.

I watched the game, bit sad but thought the young players were excellent. That’s what we can build on.

I live abroad. I’ve been embarrassed to be English for years now

Agree with another poster. Get over yourself Op. Maybe expose yourself to more world news to broaden your outlook.

I'm not remotely proud to be English. Today though I feel utterly embarrassed. Absolutely shameful.

Google Barcelona v Valencia match, mass brawl in the streets, only a few months ago too, so NO, it's not just the English and no I'm not embarrassed, our footballers make me proud and I'm not going to let a few racist thugs out of MILLIONS of genuine England fans ruin it for everyone.

@Mabelene

I live abroad. I’ve been embarrassed to be English for years now

I agree. I am dreading the world cup next year, I live right next to a stadium.

Lets face it, it's men generally.

Where did this mea culpa trend come from where we are all guilty for the actions of a few thugs???

You're embarrassed of yourself and your nationality because some men behaved badly?

Crack on then

The behaviour is absolutely abhorrent and any of those spreading racist abuse need to be brought to book.

But I don't take culpability for the actions of others just because we happen to be from the same nation. Nor do I feel ashamed by association.

Some of the fans have been a far bigger disappointment during this tournament than any of the players.

OP some people just have a deep internal hatred for themselves. You sound like one of them