Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford said the racial abuse he received online after Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal was “humanity and social media at its worst.”
The 23-year-old England international said he refused to take screenshots of the multiple messages he received, saying he would be irresponsible.
“Humanity and social media at its worst. Yes, I’m black and I live every day proud to be. No one, or any comment, will make me feel any different,” Rashford wrote on Twitter late Saturday.
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“I’m sorry if you’re 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 in them. I have beautiful children of all colors who follow me and don’t need to read it. Beautiful colors that should only be celebrated . “
I’m not sending screenshots. It would be irresponsible to do this and, as you can imagine, there is nothing original in them. I have beautiful children of all colors who follow me and do not need to read it. Beautiful colors that should only be celebrated.
– Marcus Rashford MBE (arMarcusRashford) January 30, 2021
The Football Association (FA) earlier condemned racial abuse of players after United 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 hatred 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 platforms to eliminate this discrimination – and all the elements – of discrimination in our sport.”
Police said Friday they had arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with Sawyers’ abuse.
Government ministers met with top English players on Monday to discuss online abuse and discrimination as part of a series of discussions on the future of football.