Manchester United's Marcus Rashford sues Egyptian student for racist abuse

Manchester United star footballer Marcus Rashford has filed a lawsuit against an Egyptian student for using racist language against him, according to Arabi 21.

The Egyptian student’s lawyer Syed Salameh told a local TV channel that the English player had accused the student of racism, bullying, and issuing violent threats on social media. 

"راشفورد باعت 10 محاميين..ده أعلن الحرب" إبراهيم فايق يفجر مفاجأة 🔥😮 عن مقاضاة راشفورد لطالب مصري بسبب الإساءة عبر مواقع التواصل #جمهور_التالتة pic.twitter.com/6oDTA8X6wg

— OnTime Sports (@ONTimeSports) June 17, 2022

“Ten lawyers argued Rashford’s case against the student, so much so that the court was surprised by the case, and the hearing took a long time because of the lawyers' case,” he said. 

Salameh confirmed that Rashford’s lawyers wanted £15,000 as temporary compensation, and would claim a larger amount later on. 

A court in Mansoura postponed the case to be heard on 7 July. 

It is unclear if the lawsuit was launched by Rashford himself. The companies that manage Manchester United players' social media accounts have been asked to report any racist or harmful messages, and it is likely these companies that initiated the lawsuit on his behalf, according to Arabi 21.

Rashford, along with other English players such as Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, has repeatedly faced racist attacks on social media. 

This was especially evident following England’s defeat to Italy in the UEFA Euros final in 2020, when all three aforementioned players missed penalties that led to Italy’s victory.