Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford said the racial abuse he received online after Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal was “the worst humanity and social media”.
The 23-year-old English international said he refused to take screenshots of the multiple messages he received, as it would be irresponsible to do so.
“Humanity and social media at its worst. Yes, I’m a black man and I live every day proud to be one. No one, not even a comment, will make me feel different,” Rashford wrote on Twitter late Saturday.
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“So I’m sorry if you were looking for a strong reaction, you just won’t get it here.
“I don’t share screenshots. It would be irresponsible to do that … there’s nothing original. I have beautiful kids of all colors who follow me and don’t need to read it. Beautiful colors that just have to be celebrated.”
I don’t share screenshots. It would be irresponsible to do so and, as you can imagine, there is nothing original. I have beautiful kids of all colors who follow me and don’t need to read it. Beautiful colors that just need to be celebrated.
– Marcus Rashford MBE (arMarcusRashford) January 30, 2021
The Football Association (FA) had previously condemned racial abuse of players after joint duo Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial, Romaine Sawyers of West Bromwich Albion and Reece James of Chelsea were targeted this week.
“We are united with all football in our fear of 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 eliminate this discrimination from our sport and all of its elements.”
On Friday, police said they had arrested a 49-year-old man linked to Sawyers abuse.
Government ministers met on Monday with top English players to discuss online abuse and discrimination as part of a series of discussions on the ‘Future of Football’.