Marcus Rashford mural vandalised hours after England lost Euro final

The mural was covered up after the vandalism (Picture: MEN Media/PA Wire/Getty)

Police are investigating after a mural in honour of Marcus Rashford was vandalised less than an hour after England lost to Italy in last night’s Euro 2020 final.

Lettering in blue paint was daubed over the black and white image of the footballer, while elsewhere the words ‘F**k Sancho’ were written, a reference to his teammate Jadon Sancho.

It has since been covered up with bin bags by Ed Wellard, founder of Withington Walls which organised the mural.

‘We dared to dream yesterday and our hopes were dashed but to wake up to this is more depressing. Racism seems to be more and more prevalent,’ he told the BBC.

The mural by street artist Akse, commissioned after the footballer’s role in getting free meals to schoolchildren, features a quote from his mother saying: ‘Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose.’

Rashford, Sancho and Bukayo Saka missed their penalties last night and have since faced a flood of racist abuse.

Ed Wellard, from Withington, tapes bin liners across offensive wording today (Picture: PA) Marcus Rashford reacts after missing a penalty in the shoot out (Picture: Getty)

Slurs along with monkey and banana emojis were posted on their social media, with the Metropolitan Police warning the ‘unacceptable’ behaviour ‘will not be tolerated’.

A furious statement from The Football Association said any fan who partook in the ‘disgusting behaviour’ was ‘not welcome in following the team’.

The artwork to Rashford, on the wall of The Coffee House Cafe on Copson Street in Withington, south Manchester, was defaced with the words ‘she’ and ‘b****’, along with the outline of a penis.

Before moving to Wythenshawe, Rashford lived with his mum Mel and four siblings in both Withington and Fallowfield.

He attended Old Moat School – a five minute walk from the mural – and lived on Saltney Avenue in Withington when he signed for junior side Fletcher Moss Rangers at the age of six.

The mural was previously targeted by vandals in December, when it was daubed with white paint.

Sancho and Rashford were brought on as substitutes during Sunday’s final but both missed their penalties in a shoot-out after the game with Italy finished 1-1.

They received support from many fans – but also bore the brunt of disappointment, with even one Tory MP claiming on a politicians’ group chat: ‘They lost – would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics.’ 

However, one fan said instead: ‘Let Marcus Rashford be remembered as the guy who spent this year feeding hundreds of thousands of England’s children.’

Another commented: ‘We were robbed. Saka, Rashford we got you – we are proud of you Raised fist @MarcusRashford @BukayoSaka87’.

Chief Superintendent Paul Savill, of Greater Manchester Police, said of the mural vandalism: ‘This is disgraceful behaviour and will absolutely not be tolerated.

‘Greater Manchester prides itself on being made up from a number of diverse communities and hate crime in any form is completely unacceptable and not welcome here in our city.

‘GMP takes crimes of this nature very seriously and an investigation has been launched. If anyone has any information that could help us to identify this offender please do not hesitate to speak to police.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more