Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho either missed their penalty attempts at the Euro 20 final, against Italy, or had them saved by the Italian goal keeper, Gianluigi Donarumma.

The highly accomplished penalty taker, Rashford, was possibly unsuccessful due to the huge amount of pressure he was under.

I know it is often said of situations like this, that players of such high calibre as these players should not miss from the penalty spot.

But, could any one of us do it? Professional football players, like the rest of us, can succumb to stress.

It has also been suggested that they were brought on too late in the period of extra time to really get adjusted to the situation, having hardly touched the ball during the game.

However, one thing is for sure – they did not miss their penalties because they are black!

Therefore, the racists who have sent them racist abuse on social media should shut their lap tops and their mouths.

If you’re white, like I am, just think what it must be like to have your colour brought into every criticism of you.

These young men should NOT have to face this abuse day in and day out, like so many other black people also have to.

Martin Johnson,

Llanidloes