Police have launched an investigation into racist trolls who targeted and abused Marcus Rashford and several other black Premier League footballers. England striker Rashford, 23, was sent ’n*****’ slurs and animal emojis following Manchester United’s goalless draw against Arsenal recently. Days earlier the club had slammed 'disgusting' racist abuse suffered by defender Axel Tuanzebe and striker Anthony Martial following their shock home defeat by Sheffield United in midweek.
Greater Manchester Police have since confirmed it has launched an investigation into the online targeting of the three players. Instagram confirmed it had suspended the culprits' accounts and would also investigate. A 49-year-old man was recently arrested on suspicion of racially abusing West Brom's Romaine Sawyers online following the Baggies' defeat by Manchester City.
The news comes as Prince William called for a crackdown on racist abuse in football after Marcus Rashford became the latest star to be targeted online. The Duke of Cambridge, who is President of the The Football Association, condemned the 'despicable' racist abuse still seen in the game and urged social media companies to eradicate abusive posts. In a string of tweets he demanded that people attempting to spread 'hate and division' be made accountable for their actions. 'Racist abuse - whether on the pitch, in the stands, or on social media - is despicable and it must stop now,' the prince said in a post.
'We all have a responsibility to create an environment where such abuse is not tolerated, and those who choose to spread hate and division are held accountable for their actions. 'That responsibility extends to the platforms where so much of this activity now takes place. He continued: 'I commend all those players, supporters, clubs and organisations who continue to call out and condemn this abuse in the strongest terms,' before signing it 'W'. Prince William has previously said his fury over 'outrageous' incidents of racism in football fuelled by social media, fearing progress in recent years is being lost because of anonymous posters online.
