A giant digital mural has been unveiled in Manchester in support of;England stars Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka.
This comes after the three black footballers were racially;abused online after they missed penalties in a shootout against Italy on Sunday’s Euro 2020 final.
It can be recalled that The Vaultz Media, TVM reported;that, a mural of Rashford in his hometown of Withington was defaced in a “racially aggravated” act;of vandalism and is being investigated by police as a possible “hate crime”, with derogatory comments about Rashford.
However, Rashford fans quickly rushed to the site to hide the abusive messages, before placing hearts over the covering. The graffiti was quickly covered by dozens of tributes with the words “role model”, “wonderful human” and “hero”.
In a further show of support, the sports social media publisher, ‘SPORTbible’, has;launched a giant digital billboard of the three players wearing crowns with the strapline “never apologize for who you are”.
The strapline was picked from when Rashford apologized for his penalty;miss but said he will never apologize for who he is after he was subjected to racist abuse.
Rushford pens down emotional open letter
In an open letter, Rushford apologized for his penalty miss;against Italy, saying “I felt as though I’d let everyone down.
“It’s been playing in my head over and over since and there’s probably not a word to quite describe how it feels. Final. 55-years. 1 penalty. History. All I can say is sorry. I wish it had gone differently”.
The Manchester United player, who was left visibly distressed after his penalty hit the post in the open letter paid tribute to his supportive teammates. Rashford praised his teammates, saying it was the “best camps I’ve experienced” and adding that an “unbreakable brotherhood” had been formed.
He also reserved a special “thank you” for those who had stepped in to restore his mural on the wall of the Coffee House Cafe in his hometown of Withington.
Speaking about their support in the open, the star said: “The messages I have received have been positively overwhelming, and seeing the response in Withington had me on the verge of tears. Also
“The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up. I’m a 23-year-old black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else, I have that”.
He also tackled the abuse he had faced, saying he would “never apologize” for being himself, before ending on a positive note by vowing to bounce back from the heartache, noting: “For all the kind messages, thank you. I’ll be back stronger. We’ll be back stronger”.
Rashford’s mural messages of support to be preserved
Meanwhile, the messages of support and solidarity left on the mural of footballer Marcus Rashford will be preserved. Hundreds of heartfelt notes were placed on the artwork in Withington, Manchester, which was defaced following England’s Euro 2020 final defeat.
It is worth noting that the street artist Akse, who created the portrait, has now repaired the damage.
Ed Wellard, who commissioned the mural, said a final decision is yet to be made but the notes would be “retained, recorded and if possible displayed”.
Read also: Dua Lipa sued for posting paparazzi photo of herself on Instagram
