Five people have been arrested over the racist abuse suffered by England players after their Euro 2020 final loss to Italy.
Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho missed their penalties on Sunday evening and were subject to racist abuse online after the match.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has confirmed the UK Football Policing Unit is conducting a hate crime investigation and have submitted data applications to social media companies.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC Football Policing Lead, said: “The racial abuse aimed at our own players following Sunday night’s game is utterly vile and has quite rightly shocked and appalled people across the country.
“Our England team have been true role models during the tournament, conducting themselves with professionalism and dignity. I’m disgusted there are individuals out there who think it’s acceptable to direct such abhorrent abuse at them, or at anybody else.
“The UKFPU investigation is well underway and work continues to identify those responsible. We are working very closely with social media platforms, who are providing data we need to progress enquiries.
“If we identify that you are behind this crime, we will track you down and you will face the serious consequences of your shameful actions.”
The FA and UK politicians condemned the abuse, with the Metropolitan Police saying it will investigate.
On Tuesday, Leyton Orient banned a fan for three years after reports of racist abuse online emerged following England’s defeat.
As of July 13, 897 football-related incidents and 264 arrests had been recorded across the country in the 24-hour period surrounding the final.