A mural honouring Marcus Rashford has been defaced following England’s penalty defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final
Greater Manchester police confirmed the graffiti, which appeared less than an hour after England's penalty shoot-out, was “racially aggravated”
Chief Superintendent, Paul Savill, appealed for information and said: "Hate crime in any form is completely unacceptable and not welcome here in our city."
READ MORE: Readers slam racist abuse suffered by England players after Euro 2020 defeat
The mural which is on display in Withington, Manchester, was painted by street artist Akse and was based on a photo by Daniel Cheetham.
The piece was commissioned in recognition of Rashford's work to end child food poverty.
The quote on the mural which reads: "Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose," was provided by Marcus Rashford's mother.
The vile abuse was quickly hidden with bin liners, which local residents soon decorated with 'love' hearts describing the player as a hero, campaigner, and a role model.
Ed Wellard, who co-founded Withington Walls, a street arts company that help collaborate on the piece said he woke up to the news the mural had been defaced and went down with bin liners to cover it up.
He said: "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.
"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."
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