Paul Elliott reveals his pride as FIVE footballers of black heritage smash racial stereotypes to stand up under pressure for England in penalty shootout against Switzerland and banish Wembley ghosts

• e-mail

The symbolism of the euphoria in Dusseldorf on Saturday night was not lost on Paul Elliott. Five footballers of black heritage stood up for England under extreme pressure.

Cole Palmer, whose father’s family hail from Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Tick. Jude Bellingham. Tick. Bukayo Saka. Tick. Ivan Toney. Tick. Trent Alexander-Arnold. Boom.

Bedlam ensues. Multicultural England is rocking. At Edgbaston, rival Pakistan and India cricket fans congregated around the TVs on the stadium concourse as England stormed into the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

It’s a far cry from Euro 2020 when Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were racially abused after missing spot-kicks in the final against Italy.

Elliott, the former Chelsea defender now working as one of European football’s leading equalities advisors, suffered prejudicial taunts in his playing career and has been at the forefront of English football’s efforts to be more inclusive.

England's penalty takers in the shoot-out against Switzerland were all players of black heritage

The europhia following the Three Lions' victory is a far cry from the shameful scenes that followed the Euro 2020 defeat

But no amount of off-field work is as powerful as the sight of five England players of ethnic heritage firing their country into a European Championship semi-final.

‘After Euro 2020 was one of my saddest moments, because it revived so much,’ said Elliott, who holds advisory roles with UEFA and the FA. ‘It reminded me of my generation when we were abused in stadiums. But Saturday was hugely significant. When it mattered, these lads did it for their country.

READ MORE

LISTEN: On today's EUROS DAILY, how England's newfound steel is helping Gareth Southgate's side come out on top in tight games as they chase Euro 2024 glory

‘They showed courage and bravery of the highest order in the form of the extreme adversity. They are saying, “We are here, this is how you judge us”. They are immortal now.

‘Everyone’s spoken about our past penalty failures, but look at the guys taking the penalties now. Look at their heritage and they stood up. They reigned supreme for their country.’

Gareth Southgate is two wins from leading England to Euros glory, but Elliott says his achievements as national team manager will transcend any silverware. In a week when the 53-year-old spoke about the dangers of England’s apparent sense of entitlement, his reign should be measured by more than what happens on the field.

‘It’s so poignant that in his 100th game in charge he empowered five boys of black heritage to carry the hopes of the nation on their shoulders,’ Elliott told Mail Sport.

‘Gareth is the FA’s biggest asset. He’s had the courage to speak about entitlement and privilege in a way no other England manager would understand. He has been in the Crystal Palace dressing room with Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Andy Gray. He has grown up and seen the scale of abuse they have grown up with.

FA chief Paul Elliott hailed the penalty takers for stepping up for their country in Dusseldorf

Elliott added that Gareth Southgate's achievements outside of football will supersede what he has done for the national team

Read More

The definitive guide on how not to choke on penalties - and why England so often do

‘He is judged on results but what Gareth has achieved in terms of societal legacy in the fullness of time will supersede what he has done as a coach.

'He [Southgate] is judged on results and he has delivered results. Debbie Hewitt (FA chairwoman) and Mark Bellingham (FA chief executive) are proactive on pushing equality, diversity and inclusion agendas.'

Elliott views this generation of England players as agents of change. ‘In my day, black players were viewed as athletes,’ he added. ‘Strong, quick and aggressive. But the boys are breaking down boundaries. They are technicians — not athletes.

‘Look at the confidence of Trent in the sweetness of how he strikes the ball. Palmer took his penalty like an assassin. Toney’s no-look technique is extraordinary. Jude and Bukayo are pure technicians.

‘These guys are among the best players in the world — but it’s all underpinned by mental resilience. They’ve got no fear. And they are all people of race.’