Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford said the racial abuse he received online after Arsenal’s 0-0 draw on Saturday was “humanity and social media at its worst”.
The 23-year-old English international said he refused to take screenshots of the various messages he received, as it would be irresponsible to do so.
“Humanity and social media at its worst. Yes, I am a black man and I live every day proud of it. No one, or any comment, is going to make me feel different,” wrote Rashford on Twitter late Saturday.
– Broadcast ESPN FC Daily on ESPN + (U.S. only)
“I’m sorry if you were looking for a strong reaction, you just won’t get it here.
“I’m not sharing screenshots. It would be irresponsible to do so … there’s nothing original about them. I have beautiful children of all colors following me and they don’t need to read. Beautiful colors that should only be celebrated.”
I’m not sharing screenshots. It would be irresponsible to do so and as you can imagine there is nothing original about them. I have beautiful children of all colors following me and they don’t need to read. Beautiful colors that should only be celebrated.
– Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) January 30, 2021
The Football Association (FA) had already condemned racial abuse of players after the United duo, Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial, Romaine Sawyers of West Bromwich Albion and Reece James of Chelsea were the targets this week.
“We are united with all football in our aversion to any racist abuse. This is not acceptable in any part of society,” the FA said in a statement on Twitter on Saturday.
“We will continue to work with the rest of the game, the government and social media platforms to remove this – and all elements of – discrimination from our sport.”
Police said on Friday they had arrested a 49-year-old man for reporting Sawyers’ abuse.
Government ministers met with major English players on Monday to discuss abuse and discrimination online as part of a series of discussions about the “Future of Football”.