Mural honouring footballer Marcus Rashford has been vandalised with graffiti

A mural honouring England & Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has been vandalised following England’s defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final last night.

Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, all missed in the penalty shootout leading to them receiving targeted racist abuse on social media. The artwork in Withington, Manchester, was marked with swear words alongside the word “Saka”.

The artwork painted by street artist Akse, was created in collaboration with Withington Walls, a community street art project was commissioned in recognition of Rashford’s work to tackle child food poverty.

Ed Wellard, co-founder of Withington Walls, said:

“I’ve come out to fix what I could immediately and cover up what I couldn’t and hopefully we will get the artist out to come and fix it. We dared to dream yesterday and our hopes were dashed but to wake up to this is more depressing. Racism seems to be more and more prevalent.”

Greater Manchester Police said an investigation had been launched after the force received a report of racially aggravated damage in the early hours of Monday.

“Hate crime in any form is completely unacceptable and not welcome here in our city”, said Ch Supt Paul Savill.

Members of the public have left brightly-coloured hearts and messages of support on a mural as a response to the hate.

One message reads: “I can take or leave football but I cannot take or leave people like you. Thank you for your passion, compassion and desire to change lives.”