A petition calling for those who racially abuse players to be handed lifelong bans from all football matches has surpassed 1,000,000 signatures.
The Change.org petition was set up just two days ago in the aftermath of the Euro 2020 final, which saw England be defeated by Italy 3-2 in the penalty shootouts.
Footballers Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho each missed their penalties and, as a result, were all sent vile racial slurs and monkey emojis on social media by internet trolls immediately after the match.
For the courage you showed. For the way you played. For the next generation you’ve inspired.
Following the shocking abuse, there was an immediate uproar across the whole country and calls for the government to take stricter action on racist trolls intensified.
Boris Johnson told racists to ‘crawl back under their rock’ in a speech on Monday – though he is yet to take any official action.
But now, more than one million people have put pressure on the Government and the game’s governing body to introduce lifetime football bans for anyone who targets a player offline or online.
Under the current law, the maximum football banning order is just ten years – and this can only be issued for a maximum of five unless the offence it relates to carries an immediate custodial sentence. Clubs themselves can choose to issue lifetime bans by adding fans to box office blacklists and denying them access to grounds – however, this isn’t currently enforced by the courts or police.
Over a million of you put your names to our petition to ban racists from football and take a stand against racism in support of our @England players. Now is time for action and we call on the @FA to respond to the petition and reflect on actions moving forward pic.twitter.com/4wHM4hjhZa
The petition, titled ‘Ban racists for life from all football matches in England’, calls upon the Football Association and the government to work together to ban all those who have carried out racist abuse, online or offline, from all football matches across the country for life.
The petition’s description reads: “We could not be more proud or inspired by our magnificent team and by their talent, bravery, leadership and love for all.
“Gareth Southgate’s England team plays for ALL of us. Their vision is an inclusive vision and this matters more than EVER – it’s why we feel proud of this team and why they’re so cherished and loved by many of us.
“There should be no room for racists and bigotry in football or society. Our England team stood up for all of us – now we must stand up for them.”
At the time of writing, the petition has garnered a staggering 1,009,403 signatures – a milestone from the 100,000 needed for the issue to be debated in parliament.
For more information and to sign the petition yourself, visit the Change.org site here.
Piers Morgan and a TikTok prankster got into a heated argument during an interview live on air.
The TikToker known as ‘Mizzy’ called Piers Morgan a ‘moron’ during the bizarre and heated interview on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show, on Wednesday May 14th — just hours after his sentencing.
Mizzy — real name Bacari-Bronze O’Garro — and Morgan got into a spat while live in the studio. As the pair continued to interrupt each other throughout, Morgan listed the numerous extreme ‘moronic’ pranks O’Garro has carried out.
O’Garro is the person behind a series of notorious viral videos including stealing a woman’s dog, ripping up library books and jumping into strangers’ cars.
Piers Morgan Uncensored / Talk TV
The 18-year-old was also said to have put a family ‘at risk’ by walking into their home pretending he was trying to find a study group, a court heard.
When Morgan asked why he would choose to cause ‘so much alarm and distress to so many people’, O’Garro replied: “This whole public uproar just makes me laugh because people are getting hurt over something that didn’t happen to them and that’s how I see it as.”
Morgan went on: “You go up and take a dog from an elderly woman, you leapfrog over the top of an orthodox Jewish man standing at the side of the road minding his business.
“You go up to women in the street and say, ‘do you want to die?’”
Mizzy / Tik Tok
At one point the Talk TV presenter then asked: “A lot of the stuff that you do could have consequences far more serious but you don’t care do you, as long as you get a laugh?”
O’Garro replied: “Of course I care… I have remorse.” On why he pulled the pranks for social media, he said: “It was a trend. I just done it for a trend.” He then said he is his ‘own person’ and ‘I am legally an adult now so I can do what I want’.
The pair called each other ‘idiots’, and Morgan ended the interview by saying: “You’re just a complete moron.” Adding: “For the record, he wasn’t paid for this.”
O’Garro appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (May 24th) and admitted failing to comply with a community protection notice. He was fined £200 and will have to pay an £80 surcharge with £85 in prosecution costs.
Mizzy / TikTok
The teenager, from Hackney, east London, was also issued with a criminal behaviour order, for a period of two years, which means he can never upload a video again without the permission of all those appearing in it.
The CBO also prohibits him from ‘trespassing into any private property, including residential homes, business properties, school and retail outlets’, and ‘attending Westfield Stratford City.’
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: “The CBO issued is a powerful measure designed to prevent behaviour which has caused alarm and distress to our communities.
“If the conditions are breached, at any point over the two year period, a custodial sentence can result.”
ITV has issued a fresh statement on Phillip Schofield’s exit from This Morning after Eamonn Holmes’ comments on GB News.
The statement comes after former star Eamonn Holmes reportedly claimed the presenter ‘was sacked’. Chatting on Monday on his GB News show, Eamonn said: “Oh please, let’s just stop this. He was sacked.”
Holmes said Holly was ‘false’ and a ‘backstabber’. He went on: “She made her name on the back of him. Excuse me.
“If she has her own professional integrity, why isn’t she coming out in public and saying I have my own professional integrity, he’s done something that will reflect badly on me but she again is being as false as he is and nobody is talking about the elephant in the room.”
GB News
In a short statement to Huffington Post, ITV stepped in to dismiss Eamonn’s claims. It read: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.”
Schofield quit This Morning last weekend after more than 20 years following a reported feud with co-star Holly Willoughby.
The presenter ‘stepped back’ with ‘immediate effect’ and in a statement said the programme had ‘become the story’ and that he wanted to ‘do what I can to protect the show that I love’.
The move came after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were ‘barely speaking’ behind the scenes amid a ‘rift’ between the pair.
@schofe / Instagram & ITV
Issuing a statement on Saturday, following weeks of speculation that he and Holly weren’t getting along, Phillip wrote on his Instagram: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning, but recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
“Throughout my career in TV — including the very difficult last few days — I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
“I understand ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.
“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
@schofe / Instagram
I’d like to thank everyone what has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
Holly, 42 also, issued a statement in response, sharing to her Instagram, she wrote: “Hi everyone…
“It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.
Cadbury’s is hiring expert Chocolate Taster Panelists and applications are open now.
Do you love chocolate? Have you tried and tasted all kinds of the delicious silky richness in many forms and think you know a thing or two about how a choccy treat should taste?
If that’s you then this job role could be the perfect fit for you.
Cadbury’s is recruiting for Chocolate Taster Panelists to join a team who will taste test a variety of Mondelēz products — sounds heavenly, right?
The confectionary giant’s parent company, Mondelez International — which also includes Milka and Toblerone chocolate in its portfolio — is currently seeking a taster to sample, describe and provide feedback on its products.
Vlad the Impala / Flickr
The lucky applicants will use their senses to test the products, and ‘provide feedback using a clearly defined vocabulary, applying consistency to results provided and collaborating with other panelists’.
The role is for a permanent part time vacancy, consisting of either seven and a half, or eight hours per week, depending on the panel you work.
The panels they have available are as follows:
Panel B (12:15-14:45)
Panel C (15:00 – 17:00)
Panel E (10:00 – 12:00)
Evan-Amos / Wikimedia
The desired applicants will need to bring the following knowledge and experience with them:
A passion for food/beverages and to use your taste buds for detection
Honesty when it comes to giving opinions
Eager to try new, inventive products
A communicative personality to build great relationships with your panel
A firm grasp of the native language spoken in each individual location
Craig A Rodway / Flickr
The role will be based at their site in Wokingham.
To find out more and apply for this dreamy role, click HERE.
Please note: if you have any dietary restrictions, intolerance or allergies to certain foods, this position may not be suitable for you because, for example, you will be required to test products that contain gluten, nuts and dairy.