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Marcus Rashford mural defaced hours after England penalty shootout miss

 (PA)
(PA)

A mural honouring the work of Marcus Rashford has been vandalised in the wake of his penalty miss for England on Sunday night.

The Manchester United and England striker - who has worked tirelessly to tackle food poverty and challenge government policy - was the first of three players to miss a spot kick as Italy won the European Championship final on penalties.

The artwork in Withington, Manchester, was defaced in the hours after England’s heartbreaking defeat.

Either side of a picture of Rashford, the mural carries a quote from his mother, which reads: "Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose."

Ed Wellard, co-founder of Withington Walls, the community project which worked on the mural, has worked quickly to repair the damage.

 (PA)
(PA)

"I've come out to fix what I could immediately and cover up what I couldn't and hopefully we will get the artist out to come and fix it," he told the BBC.

"We dared to dream yesterday and our hopes were dashed but to wake up to this is more depressing. Racism seems to be more and more prevalent."

Jason Sancho and Bukayo Saka both missed penalties and all three have also been subjected to racist abuse on social media overnight.

England manager Gareth Southgate said this morning: “The players have had a togetherness and spirit that has brought so many parts of our country together.

“They should be incredibly proud of what they've done. For them to be abused is incredible really.

“It's just not what we stand for. I think we've been a beacon of light in being able to bring people together. That togetherness has to continue.”

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