THE First Minister has praised England football player Marcus Rashford after he took a stand against the racist abuse hurled at some of the nation’s players after their loss in the final of Euro 2020.
Italy won the tournament on penalties, crushing English hopes of winning the first major title in more than half a century.
The players who had missed penalties for England were almost instantly subjected to vile racist abuse across social media, with it also leaking out into the real world.
READ MORE: Tory MP sends vile WhatsApp after Rashford penalty miss
A mural in Manchester, depicting Rashford was defaced with hate speech, before being covered up by members of the local community coming out in support of the young footballer.
In a statement which has garnered him praise from across the political spectrum and has already been "liked" almost 900,000 times, Rashford apologised for missing his penalty but refused to do so for being who he is.
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) July 12, 2021
The Manchester United star wrote: "I felt as though I had let my teammates down. I felt as though I had let everyone down.
"A penalty was all I'd been asked to contribute for the team. I can score penalties in my sleep so why not that one?
"It's been playing in my head over and over since I struck the ball and there's probably not a word to quite describe how this feels.
"Final. 55 years. 1 penalty. History. All I can say is sorry. I wish it had gone differently.
"Whilst I continue to say sorry I want to shout-out my teammates.
"This summer has been one of the best camps I've ever experienced and you've all played a role in that.
"A brotherhood has been built that is unbreakable. Your success is my success. Your failures are mine.
"I've grown into a sport where I expect to read things written about myself. Whether it be the colour of my skin, where I grew up, or, most recently, how I decide to spend my time off the pitch.
"I can take critique of my performance all day long, my penalty was not good enough, it should have gone in but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from.
"I've felt no prouder moment than wearing those three lions on my chest and seeing my family cheer me on in a crowd of 10s of thousands.
"I dreamt of days like this. The messages I've received today have been positively overwhelming and seeing their response in Withington had me on the verge of tears.
READ MORE: England star 'right' Priti Patel stoked fires of racism, ex-Tory minister says
"The communities that always had me wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up.
"I'm Marcus Rashford, 23 year old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else I have that.
"For all the kind messages, thank you. I'll be back stronger. We'll be back stronger.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among the tens of thousands to praise the young England star, saying he was a “credit” to his country.
Sturgeon wrote: “Forget football rivalry … these young @England players are a credit to their country, to sport and to basic decency.”
Forget football rivalry…these young @England players are a credit to their country, to sport and to basic decency. https://t.co/CDTU3e0i7K
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 12, 2021
Rashford’s Manchester United teammate and Portugal international Bruno Fernandes wrote: “You should only be proud of what you achieved in this tournament! Hold your head up high, bro!
“You’re an example for everyone on and off the pitch.”
Labour MP Richard Burgon commented: “What a wonderfully brave, open and honest message from Marcus Rashford about the match, the penalty, the vile racism and also the heartening support against it.
“Characteristic of someone who on the pitch and off the pitch will continue to inspire millions for many years to come.”
Author of Noughts and Crosses Malorie Blackman wrote: “Marcus, hold your head high. You have absolutely nothing to apologise for.”
London mayor Sadik Khan said Rashford had shown “leadership, on and off the pitch”.
The defaced mural of Rashford in his home surburb of Withington has now been repaired by street artist Akse P19 (below).
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