Not even 48 hours on from the mural being covered in abusive messages, the street artist who created it has repaired it
The mural of Marcus Rashford has been restored after it was defaced in the wake of England’s defeat by Italy in the final of Euro 2020.
Rashford, introduced as a late substitute in the game, was one of three players who failed to score in the shootout. The trio were on the receiving end of vile racist abuse on social media in the hours that followed. The mural to Rashford, which adorns the side of a building in Withington, where he is from, was also defaced with abusive messages.
The damage to the mural was quickly covered by messages of support for the 23-year-old. By the end of Monday, the number of supportive messages had grown significantly.
Midnight in Withington. Quiet, peaceful, powerful. pic.twitter.com/ab7W7tEW0N
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) July 12, 2021
Not even 48 hours on, Akse P19, the street artist who created the mural as a tribute to Rashford and his campaign to end child poverty, has returned to repair the damage.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRQycSjj-r2/
Akse P19 is based in Manchester and has been responsible for numerous murals dedicated to well-known figures in different locations around the city. He also produced the famous mural of Trent Alexander-Arnold, close to Anfield.
Rashford posted a statement to his social media on Monday evening in response to England’s defeat. He apologised for his penalty miss and thanked those who had sent supportive messages to him in the wake of the disgusting abuse that followed.
His statement also acknowledged those who had taken the time to turn the defacing of his mural into something more positive.
“The messages I’ve received today have been positively overwhelming and seeing the response in Withington had me on the verge of tears,” he said. “The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up. I’m Marcus Rashford, 23 years old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else I have that.”
