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Men’s football Anti-racism groups ‘not surprised’ Marcus Rashford was racially abused after Europa League final loss

ANTI-RACISM campaign groups once again called for “zero tolerance” of racist abuse following Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford revealing he received “at least 70 racial slurs” following Wednesday night’s Europa League final defeat.

Rashford played 120 minutes and scored a from the spot in the shoot-out, as United ultimately lost on penalties 11-10.

Despite an impassioned speech to media after about the team not being good enough, the England forward was met with a barrage of racist abuse on social media, including one message from a teacher.

“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 tweeted. “He teaches children!! And knows that he can freely racially abuse without consequence…”

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand, who was racially abused last Sunday by a Wolverhampton fan during United’s 2-1 win in the Premier League, called the abuse a “disgrace” and said that “these people need to be made accountable.”

Show Racism The Red Card released an online statement in which they admitted that they were not surprised by Wednesday night’s events.

“#SRtRC stands alongside Marcus Rashford. Nobody should be subject to racism, online or elsewhere.

“The sad reality is that whilst we are saddened, we are not surprised. Social media is proving itself to be a much too easy vehicle for vile racist abuse.

“We need zero tolerance.”

Their honorary president Shaka Hislop condemned the abuse.

“This latest incident further exemplifies the need for meaningful and strong action in heeding the global call for battling racism, that many of us contributed to, and all of us witnessed over the last year.

“Without firm action our football grounds will become safe havens and breeding grounds for the worst aspects of our humanity.

“Football, as a game, has to match the work and example of players like Marcus Rashford in shaping a better, more inclusive, more equitable world, for the next generation of players and fans.”

A similar statement was released by Kick It Out.

“We are disappointed to see yet more discriminatory abuse targeted at Marcus Rashford and other Man United players following last night’s game.

“Social media companies need to step up and do more to eradicate the disgusting levels of abuse players continue to receive.

“This can not and should not continue to happen.”

In a statement, Manchester United said they were “disgusted by the online hate and abuse aimed at Marcus Rashford and other players on social media after last night’s game” and that they “utterly condemn it.”

Speaking before Wednesday night’s racist attack, England boss Gareth Southgate praised the job players had done in highlighting abuse over the last year.

Southgate told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I do think there has been progress over the last year on the issue of racism because social media is just in general a poor reflection of what happens through society.

“But the reality is if it wasn’t social media these situations are happening on our streets at certain times.

“[The players] have used their voice in a very positive manner, in particularly the last 12 months. We have to keep fighting racism.”

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