A TORY MP has been slammed for “hypocrisy” after he told England football player Tyrone Mings to "focus on football, not politics" - despite previously backing a footballer who supported Brexit.

Andrew Rosindell MP faced widespread backlash after he replied to a tweet from the football player hitting back at Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Mings told Patel: "You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ & then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens."

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Patel had previously refused to criticise fans who booed the team for taking the knee in protest against racial injustice.

After England lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final there has been a torrent of racist abuse directed at England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.

Rosindell replied to Mings's tweet, saying: "We are all proud of our England team, who have had the support of the whole country over recent weeks, but please focus of [sic] football, not politics. If you win for England, you win for everyone!"

But Twitter users were quick to point out that the Tory MP had previously praised another England footballer, Sol Campbell, for backing Brexit.

In 2016, Rosindell tweeted: "Glad to hear football legend @SolManOfficial is backing @vote_leave on June 23rd #brexit."

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Meanwhile, SNP MP David Linden pointed out on Twitter that Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross is an assistant referee. 

He said: "Hey @AndrewRosindell … why is it ok for @Douglas4Moray  to focus on football AND politics but not @OfficialTM_3 [Tyrone Mings]?"