Two men arrested for online racist abuse of Marcus Rashford and other England players

Two men have been arrested after England footballers were subjected to vile racist abuse following their loss to Italy on Sunday night. 

Players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were all targeted on social media after missing their penalties in England’s defeat in the Euros 2020 final. The Marcus Rashford mural in Withington was also defaced in the hour after the loss, though it has since been adorned with flowers and messages of love and support from locals. 

After the sickening reaction to England’s defeat, there have been overwhelming calls for the racists targeting the football players to be held accountable for their actions – a petition urging the FA to dish out lifelong bans to the perpetrators has even surpassed a million signatures. 

And now, just days after the slurs took place, the police have announced that two men have been identified and arrested for the roles they allegedly played in the abuse, the Independent reports.

Police were investigating a racist tweet aimed at Rashford when they arrested – but later released – a fifty-year-old man, believed to be a youth football coach from Powick, near Worcester. West Mercia Police said the suspect was detained on suspicion of inciting racial hatred following reports of an inappropriate tweet posted in the hours after the game.

Local reports said the offensive tweet said that Rashford’s MBE ‘needs burning ya fake’ before adding he should return to his ‘own country’ – though the man allegedly claimed that his Twitter account had been hacked. 

Inspector Pete Nightingale, from Worcester police station, said in a statement: “We encourage people to make these reports and are pleased with the speed at which we have been able to deal with this incident.

“We continue to work with the local football community and have links with the local clubs to ensure that this behaviour is dealt with appropriately.”

Another man in his sixties was also arrested in Shropshire after racist comments were made on his Facebook page. He too, however, alleged that his account had been hacked.

According to reports the man was a councillor from Pontesbury Parish Council, with the council confirming it had reported the comments to police.

They added in a statement: “Pontesbury Parish Council is aware of comments made on Facebook by a former member of the parish council.

“These comments are made by an individual and do not represent the views of this council. We find these comments strongly offensive and will not tolerate racism nor discrimination of any kind.

“The council have reported this serious matter to the police and are currently assisting them with their enquiries.

“The council disassociates itself with these comments and can report that the chairman has today accepted this councillor’s resignation from Pontesbury Parish Council.”

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police continue to appeal for any information on the culprits responsible for vandalising the Marcus Rashford mural in Withington – anyone with information can contact the police on 0161 856 4973, quoting 453 of 12/07/2021.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.