Marcus Rashford claims white England stars did NOT receive the same level of insults after the Euro 2020 final for missing penalties against Italy as the United forward opens up vile racist messages in chat with NBA superstar LeBron James
- Marcus Rashford has spoken out about his racist abuse after the Euro 2020 final
- The Man United star received abhorrent news after missing his penalty against Italy
- Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were also targeted online after the game
- Rashford believes white players would not have been abused by fans
- The forward also admitted he has struggled to find ‘stability’ at Man United
Manchester United Striker Marcus Rashford believes English stars would not have been snubbed after the Euro 2020 final had three white players missed penalties against Italy last summer.
Rashford was attacked by trolls with vile racist messages on social media after he failed to take his penalty kick at Wembley Stadium alongside his black team-mates Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Sakawho also failed in their efforts.
The 24-year-old, who opened up on his YouTube series Shop for basketball icon LeBron James in the episode, said he didn’t feel like white players were getting the same treatment from fans, claiming the fans “didn’t notice”.
Rashford appeared alongside the British actor on the show Daniel KaluyaArtist Rashid Johnson, Marketing Director Paul Rivera, Entrepreneurs Maverick Carter and James.
As the group started talking about the sickening insults suffered by the three players after the Three Lions lost on penalties – after a 1-1 draw in the final – Rashford was asked if he thought that the level of hatred would have been the same if white players had been involved.
“Honestly no, that’s how I feel,” he said. “I don’t think it would have been the same. But at the same time, I don’t think people would have noticed.
Marcus Rashford has claimed the England stars would not have been abused after the Euro 2020 final when three white players missed their penalties during an interview with LeBron James
Rashford (R), Jadon Sancho (L) and Bukayo Saka were among the stars targeted with obnoxious abuse after last summer’s penalty shoot-out loss to Italy
“I feel like they just responded to how they felt, whether it was because it was three black people or three white people.”
He recalled when Man United legend David Beckham was under a lot of pressure from fans after his red card against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup and said it was part of the game.
“I remember when Beckham got death threats and hatred. It happens, but they just want you to win.
“There are certain elements of the sport that you can talk about all day and you never come to the conclusion that ‘this should have happened’ because it’s an opinion-based sport. I used to hate scoring goals. It sounds crazy but I have.’
Rashford believes fans “wouldn’t have noticed” if white players missed their effort
Rashford had only come on to take a penalty before Gianluigi Donnarumma saved him
Rashford was then asked if he had ever come close to “breaking up” as a result of abuse.
“No, because as a striker you always take risks,” he added. “If you don’t take any risks, you’re doing something wrong.”
It was Saka who missed the crucial kick to ensure Italy lifted the trophy, leaving the Arsenal star in tears and having to be comforted by his team-mates – and his misery was compounded by the abuse he suffered in the aftermath had, strengthened.
Comments included “Get out of my country,” while another said, “Go back to Nigeria,” and some posted banana and monkey emojis on the Instagram pages of all three players.
The FA called the behavior “disgusting” and said any supporters found guilty of posting such messages were not welcome to follow the team.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka also missed his mission and was then scolded on Instagram
Instagram users posted racist language and emojis on the winger’s Instagram account
In November, a fan named Jonathon Best was arrested for 10 weeks after racially insulting himself via live streaming after England used racial slurs on Rashford, Sancho and Saka following England’s defeat by shooting.
Elsewhere in the group discussion, Rashford was also asked about his struggles at United after a season in which they fell out of the title race and didn’t even qualify for the top 4.
Rashford said the club are in a “period of transition” and admitted it had been difficult to find “stability” at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
“Of course it’s a great feeling [playing for the club]but manchester united in the old days were successful many years before so success was like… once you got a taste, [you] learn how to make it a safe bet.
“It has been a transitional period for the club since I came into the team so it has been difficult to find stability – that’s why we have so many ups and downs. But it’s a club with a rich history, so we’re constantly trying to get that feeling back, but it won’t happen overnight.
