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Rashford responds to ‘commercially benefitting’ from charities claim

Manchester United and England footballer, Marcus Rashford, has addressed claims set to be published by Spectator magazine that he has ‘commercially benefitted’ from charity partnerships.

The 23-year old moved quickly to respond to the political magazine’s story and questioned why footballers can’t seem to be able to be seen ‘doing the right thing’ for charity.

Rashford’s campaigning famously forced the Government to make u-turns over free school meals during the coronavirus pandemic, whilst he also backed other child food poverty incentives. He later became the youngest person to top the Sunday Times Giving List by raising £20 million in donations from supermarkets for groups tackling the issue.

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In a series of messages on to his Twitter account on Tuesday evening, the Manchester United and England star said: “Just heard @spectator are planning to run a story on me tomorrow about how I have benefitted commercially in the last 18 months.”

“To clarify, I don’t need to partner with brands. I partner because I want to progress the work I do off the pitch and most of any fee I would receive contributes to that.

“Last summer, 1.3M children had access to food support, through my relationship with Burberry children have a safe place to be after school where they will be fed, following the November investment vulnerable children have safe places to go this summer holiday, and due to my relationship with Macmillan 80,000 children now have a book to call their own.

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“Do I have a larger commercial appeal following the u-turns? I’m sure. But I’m also a Manchester United and England international footballer. Why has there always got to be a motive? Why can’t we just do the right thing?

“I actually enjoy reading bits from The Spectator now and again but this is just a none starter.”

The forward’s Burberry partnership resulted in a number of donations being made to youth charities and youth clubs, including Norbrook Youth Club in Manchester, which he attended as a child.

Rashford, who used to receive free school meals himself, was awarded an MBE in the delayed 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

The star was the target of online racist abuse alongside Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after their missed penalties in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.

Abusive graffiti was also seen on Rashford’s mural in Withington, Manchester afterwards.

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