The FA stood up for England’s two shootout flops on Monday night by branding racist Twitter attacks on them as ‘appalling and unacceptable’.

Police have started an investigation into offensive abuse aimed at Ashley Young and Ashley Cole shortly after they failed to score from the spot in the Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy.

The FA, in backing both players as Roy Hodgson’s defeated side returned home, said: 'We are concerned at the allegations of abuse aimed at England players Ashley Cole and Ashley Young on Twitter.

Solemn: Ashley Young, left, and Ashley Cole, right,  pictured after England's defeat last night, have been hit with racist abuse for missing penalties

'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.'

In a series of offensive postings one user goaded others who criticised him for his rants.

In one post the tweeter wrote: 'All I got to say is this was just a joke, you guys need to relax, police know i was kiddin around and they won’t bother me hopefully, cheers.'

Another said: 'The police won’t bother me mate I can assure you that.'

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