An internet troll who racially abused England football player Bukayo Saka after he missed the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final apologised after he was tracked down on social media by journalists.

England, who were aiming to lift the prestigious cup after 54 years, lost to Italy in the penalty shootout in the Euro 2020 final.

According to a report in the Guardian, the man is in his early 20s posted racist emojis on Saka’s Instagram account shortly after the match. The man from Saudi Arabia was approached by the team at BBC Radio 4’s documentary programme.

Despite being reported six weeks back, the man’s account was still online. The racial abuse of the English players (Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho) had prompted worldwide condemnation.

The BBC, in its report, said that he was one of the 79 Instagram accounts that remained online despite being reported.

Speaking to the journalists, the unidentified man said: “It was a big mistake, I was angry, and I didn’t know what, if he saw the monkeys, what he would feel,” he said.

“I really want to apologise to Saka, it was a mistake and I will not do it again for him and any black player.”

But the apology wasn’t received well by players.

Former Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha told File on 4: “It’s so toxic, that’s how social media feels to me, this type of thing goes on with people who don’t necessarily think about their consequences.”

The accused said that if he is banned for life, he would accept that decision but Onuoha said that he does not accept the man’s contrition.

“You’re the same person who went to Bukayo Saka’s Instagram account and put a monkey emoji in a comment for one of his posts. I understand disappointment … but for me it crosses a line, and it’s wrong on every level,” the former Manchester City player said.