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Sport
Kate Plummer
May 27, 2021
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford
PA Wire
Fans have rallied around Marcus Rashford after the footballer was bombarded with racial abuse following his team’s defeat in the Europa League.
Posting on Twitter, Rashford said he had got 70 racist messages on social media, after Manchester United lost to Villarreal on a penalty shootout yesterday.
At least 70 racial slurs on my social accounts counted so far. For those working to make me feel any worse than I a… https://t.co/q8dw5SyzTk— Marcus Rashford MBE (@Marcus Rashford MBE) 1622071192
He added that one of the messages he received appeared to be from a teacher, and that he was “outraged” by it.
I’m more outraged that one of the abusers that left a mountain of monkey emojis in my DM is a maths teacher with an… https://t.co/Lwm9MuEHm2— Marcus Rashford MBE (@Marcus Rashford MBE) 1622074924
But fans were quick to stand up for Rashford and posting on Twitter, shared messages of support.
Presenter Brian Redmond said:
@MarcusRashford So wrong it’s saddening that you and so many others have to endure this. Racism is inhumane, and ne… https://t.co/yErnvOouVD— Brian Redmond (@Brian Redmond) 1622071756
And boxer Tyson Fury posted:
@MarcusRashford Keep fighting the good fight @MarcusRashford, I stand with you my brother. Racism needs to eradicat… https://t.co/y7womxTjgZ— TYSON FURY (@TYSON FURY) 1622107446
Journalist Carl Anka said:
@MarcusRashford Don't let them grind you down. The sun will rise and we will go again tomorrow.— 🇬🇭 Carl Anka 🇬🇭 (@🇬🇭 Carl Anka 🇬🇭) 1622071704
And other fans posted positive messages to the footballer:
@MarcusRashford Ignore the trolls Marcus Rashford, u did ur part in the penalty shout-outs & ur team did their best… https://t.co/W3P069oF4D— Daniel Regha (@Daniel Regha) 1622081355
@MarcusRashford Heads up Marcus. You’re 24 and have won the FA Cup, the Europa league, played in another Europa Lea… https://t.co/Tl5dQrdIoh— JK (@JK) 1622071280
@MarcusRashford Marcus as a city fan don’t listen to them. You’ve helped your team reach the point your at right no… https://t.co/J2quP0wb2h— parker (@parker) 1622076766
As well as being a footballer, Rashford is known for successfully campaigning to extend free school meals to eligible students during school holidays throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Yesterday, while giving evidence about the government’s handling of the crisis, Dominic Cummings said Johnson was wrong to “pick a fight” with Rashford over the issue and should have had a better meals policy to begin with.
And it is not the first time that Rashford has endured racist abuse on social media. In January, Greater Manchester police investigated racist comments sent to him and other players.
At the end of April, English football united for a four-day social media boycott to protest against inaction over racial abuse on social media.
We can only hope these things make a difference and Rashford and other players stop being abused.
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