England team home after defeat

The Football Association has issued a statement following allegations that England players Ashley Cole and Ashley Young were racially abused on Twitter, after missing penalties against Italy in the Euro 2012 games yesterday.

We are concerned at the reports regarding allegations of abuse aimed at England players Ashley Cole and Ashley Young on Twitter.

They have just given everything for the national team at Euro 2012 and it is appalling and unacceptable that messages of an abusive type are being posted.

We support any police investigation in identifying who is behind this.

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David Cameron has congratulated the England football team, following their exit from Euro 2012.

The Prime Minister said the team "showed a lot of heart and a lot of spirit and a lot of dogged determination" with some "brilliant individual performances and a real team effort."

He joked that as he watched the match he had a feeling it would probably end on penalties, but offered his congratulations to the team and manager Roy Hodgson.

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We are aware of alleged racist comments on Twitter following last night’s England game and have launched an investigation

From @metpoliceuk on Twitter: (11:36 am, Mon 25 Jun 2012)

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Steven Gerrard says he "loved" the experience of being England captain and that he intends to carry on in the role.

"The manager told me he wants me to continue," he said.

He added that he was "reasonably satisfied" with his own performance but that that did not compensate for the "frustration and disappointment - because we came so close to ending that quarter final hoodoo."

See more reaction to England's quarter-final defeat from ITV Sport.

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"It's very difficult today to be positive because we are still so disappointed at not going through to the semi-final," said Roy Hodgson.

"We had our dreams and when your dreams are shattered, you can't put too positive a spin on it."

He added that he hoped the way the team had performed and behaved would set a platform for future tournaments.

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How did he miss? Looks like we're in for a good night wherever you're watching the game, stay safe #drinkaware #drinkresponsibly

From @StaffsPolice on Twitter: ( 6:53 pm, Sun 24 Jun 2012)

A police force which used its Twitter feed to chronicle England's Euro 2012 defeat by Italy has been praised for its "brilliant coverage" of the match.

Great tackle by Terry, we'll be tackling repeat offenders

From @StaffsPolice on Twitter: ( 7:11 pm, Sun 24 Jun 2012)

Staffordshire Police deployed their official account on the social networking site to deliver anti-crime messages, while also keeping fans up to date with the action in Kiev.

The majority of its 11,905 followers seemed to welcome its off-the-wall views on players' hairstyles and the game itself.

@staffspolice I love these themed tweets. They're sweet ;o)

From @HoratioCanine on Twitter: ( 6:54 pm, Sun 24 Jun 2012)

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Italian newspapers believe last night's result was the right one:

• 'Justice is done' - Gazzetta
• 'The national team has talent, quality and courage. It would not have been right to go out on penalties' - La Repubblica
• 'England very nearly succeeded in doing evil - the perfect crime' - La Stampa

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