People gather at the Marcus Rashford mural after it was defaced following the Euro 2020 Final between Italy and England in Withington, Manchester, on Tuesday. Reuters

Gulf Today Report
 
England football aficionados rallied behind in the favour of the soccer start Marcus Rashford in the racial abuse row on Tuesday.

The fans showed their support and sympathy for the player by scribbing graffiti on a wall painting in his support, calling him national hero.

"We love you," read one of the messages. While a replica of heart was placed on near the wall with ‘Hero’ written on it.

"You have stood up for us repeatedly, now it is time for us to stand up for you!" read another heart wrenching message.

Rashford, along with two other team-mates Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, became a victim of racial abuse after the trio of the black players missed the penalties in the final of the Euro Championship.

Rashford, who was brought up by a single mother, had not had a privileged childhood and grew up amid hunger and poverty.

He also launched a drive to provide better provision for the under-privileged children at school in mid-day meals to help them combat poverty.

"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," Rashford said in a statement.