There has been vile racist abuse directed at England's heroic players Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho. Minutes after the final whistle of the Euro final, The English Football Association issued a statement which said: “We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible”.

England's FA and its football team is inclusive. They're an inspiration the world over. The message is clear - there should be no room for racists and bigotry in football or society. But the racism and the hate continues. England's black players have discussed walking off the field the next time they suffer racism.

In Australia, across all football codes, we need to do better. Every week our incredible players are racially vilified.  Adelaide United's Kusingi Yengi was racially abused in comments on his Instagram account in March. Adelaide United released this statement: "We pride ourselves on inclusivity and diversity, and to have one of our players subjected to racial abuse is immensely upsetting."

AFL legend and hero Adam Goodes is the subject of a new documentary focusing on racism in sport - The Australian Dream.  The documentary discusses the highly controversial topic of whether Adam should have just shrugged off the vile, racist abuse. Of England's black players suffering racist abuse he says: "I fully support them walking off. It would be a way of drawing a line and saying it's just unacceptable". 

Asked whether he still follows the game he loved so much, Adam Goodes says: "Unfortunately not, I've tried to go to games but I haven't enjoyed it". The impact of the abuse he has suffered is profound. The lack of progress in combatting racism is not acceptable.

Words of support are important. But what we need is real action led from the top.

We are calling on Football Australia and our Federal Government to lead the way for all footballing codes - to work together now to ban all those who have carried out racist abuse, online or offline, from all football matches in Australia for life. 

Our heroes are standing up. Now we must stand up for them!