The vandalism of a mural of Marcus Rashford is not believed to be “of a racial nature”, police have said.
Greater Manchester Police are investigating the vandalism of the mural in Withington, Manchester, that happened after England’s defeat in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday (11 July).
Hundreds of messages of support have been left at the site of the mural after it was defaced following the match, with Rashford saying he had been left on the verge of tears by the outpouring of solidarity.
The footballer and fellow England players Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were also subjected to racist abuse online.
Watch: Hundreds of anti-racism protestors take the knee at Marcus Rashford mural
Street artist Akse has now repaired the damage to his mural while police launched an investigation into the vandalism.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said officers had been called in the early hours of Monday to reports of racially-aggravated damage to the mural.
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The force said: “While the content of the vandalism is not believed to be of a racial nature, officers are keeping an open mind as to the motive behind defacing the artwork.”
It said investigators were conducting several lines of enquiry including CCTV and forensic evidence from the spray paint used, with results expected in the coming weeks.
Police are continued to appeal to members of the public for any information.
Superintendent Richard Timson, district commander for GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “On Monday morning when we saw the damage done to the mural in Withington we were all left appalled, and we stand with the rest of the community whose solidarity against this vile abuse ever since has really shown the best of our city.
“The person responsible for this knows who they are and we believe there will be others who also suspect the identity of this offender, and I therefore urge anyone with such information to get in touch to help progress our enquiries at speed.”
The racist abuse received by Rashford, Sancho and Saka has been condemned by the Football Association, Prince William and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has also apologised for his own racist comments within articles he has previously written.