Lewis Hamilton has condemned the racial abuse endured by several of England's football players during its Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro on Monday.
England crushed the local squad with a 5-1 victory, but the British players keep an indelible memory of the match it will be for the wrong reasons.
England and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi claimed to have heard monkey chants while left-back Danny Rose was also targeted by the local crowd according to England coach Gareth Southgate.
The UEFA has charged Montenegro following the racist chants, and through a post on social media on Tuesday, Hamilton also denounced the hateful attitude from the opposing supporters in the grandstands.
Congrats to @England on their 5-1 win against Montenegro last night, you’re doing us all proud. What you faced with the chants was despicable. Completely unacceptable, no room for this behaviour in any sport. #loveoverhate #silencethehaters pic.twitter.com/FKVCrSg6se
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) March 26, 2019
The five-time world champion has often spoken out on how he was himself the recipient of racist abuse, while growing up in Stevenage or later on in his career in F1, notably in Spain in 2008 when shouts from the grandstands during a test session were clearly heard.
In 2017, the Mercedes driver also showed his support for the anti-racist movement initiated by NFL quarter-back Colin Kaepernick, praising the player for his actions and the subsequent widespread movement which they led to.
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