Highlights:
- Manchester United defeated by Villarreal in UEFA Europa League final
- The game went on to penalties after the score tied 1-1
- After the defeat, Rashford received at least 70 racial slurs on his social media accounts
The 23 year old Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford, has detailed the racial abuse he received via his social media accounts after the Red Devils lost on penalties to Villarreal in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils forward counted at least 70 slurs in the immediate aftermath of the UEFA Europa League defeat. He has been among the footballers who have decried the omnipresence of racism on social media over the past year, but so far, the problem has not gone away.
Rashford further added that a teacher was among those who send him racist messages on his social media handle. The 23 year old also highlighted a fan who had said he “deserved” abuse, promoting their response to him as an example of the frustrating mindsets he has to deal with on a daily basis.
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On Twitter, Rashford wrote, “At least 70 racial slurs on my social accounts counted so far,” and added, “For those working to make me feel any worse than I already do, good luck trying.”
Later, he added: “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 open profile. He teaches children!! And knows that he can freely racially abuse without consequence…”
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) May 26, 2021
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 open profile. He teaches children!! And knows that he can freely racially abuse without consequence…
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) May 27, 2021
Soon after their forward’s experience, the Red Devils issued a statement condemning the abuse.
Manchester United wrote, “Following the #UEL final, our players were subjected to disgraceful racist abuse. If you see any form of abuse or discrimination, ??? and ?????? it,” on Twitter.
Following the #UEL final, our players were subjected to disgraceful racist abuse.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 27, 2021
If you see any form of abuse or discrimination, ??? and ?????? it.#SeeRed #allredallequal