YOUNGSTERS have created a huge mural in honour of the three England football team players racially abused following the Euro 2021 final

Ladybridge Primary School pupils upset by the sickening online abuse directed at Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka have created their won tribute to the trio ­— inspired by the Marcus Rashford mural in Withington, with children leaving messages of hope and solidarity.

Pupils decided to take their own stand against hate after being left shocked and confused by reports of the abuse suffered by the players.

Through conversations with the pupils, the children came up with the idea of creating their own mural.

Emma Walsh, teacher at the school, said: "The children at our school have been upset about the recent comments made towards Saka, Sancho and Rashford.

"We talked about it in class. They linked it in with their learning of Mary Seacole who overcame racism prejudice to help the sick and injured during the time of Florence Nightingale ­— and they were outraged that racist abuse is still happening

"The children decided they wanted to do something positive, and created our own mural ­— similar to Rashford's in Manchester, and the children from across school are creating pieces of work - letters, kind messages, flags to decorate around them."

She added: "We thought it would only cover a small section of the wall, but it has grown, and parents also got involved.

"The messages the children have written are really moving."

The Bolton News: Ladybridge Primary School mural

Messages posted include: "Do not listen to the horrible bullies. We will always you" and "Be strong and let no one kill your strength" along with thank you for donating their prize money to the NHS."

Hussain Al-Hakim, aged 10, said: "I felt disheartened that people would say things so terrible. In the end, it's just a football match."

Year Five pupil Matin Nazar said: "I felt heartbroken due to the footballers being called racist words, just because they missed a penalty. When they were winning, some fans were colour blind but when they lost they only saw colour."

Daisy Rowbottom, aged eight, said: "We wanted to create our mural to raise awareness and inspire others. We also wanted to spread positivity to anyone who is upset, and make sure they never give up. We can stand together against racism."

 

The Bolton News: Ladybridge Primary School mural

This is what the young people had to say when they heard about the racist abuse:

Year Five pupils:

Umar Patel added: "I was devastated when I heard what had been said to the players that had missed the penalties. It was absolutely atrocious."

Haidar Iqbal said: "When I first heard what was said, I was heartbroken.They were bullied online for the colour of their skin. They could not hide from the racism online, however people could hide behind their screens."

Olamiposi Adaranijo said: "On the night when we lost, I was hoping nothing would happen the next day. I guess not. It actually broke my heart when I heard about what was happening. All of the hate crimes committed. Disgusting."

Zachary Beddows said: "It was heartbreaking they did the best they could and it had nothing to do with their skin. This shouldn’t be tolerated, they are humans."

Zakaria Omar said: "It was heartbreaking to hear what people had said to the footballers. It is difficult for them to express themselves and no one should have to experience this. Imagine if this was you, hiding in the shadows of others. How would you feel?"

Zara Shahnwaz said: "Everyone deserves to be treated the same no matter what their race may be. We built this country together and we stand together."

Eleora Awotedu said: " I felt heartbroken when I found out what people had been saying to the footballers. No one deserves to be treated the way Saka, Sancho and Rashford were treated. To know that racism still exists is really just disgusting."

Minahil Aurangzeb, aged 10, said: "I felt ashamed that people could be so spiteful and remorseful that the footballers had to go through that."

Vikash Jadwa, aged 10, said: "We haven't been in a final for 55 years and if it wasn't for those players we would never have been in the final."

Eshaal Khaan and Arham Akram, both eight said they felt heartbroken by what they heard.

They said: "I felt heartbroken, and disgusted by what has been said. I couldn’t believe how the footballers were being treated after an amazing achievement in reaching the final."

This is the message they want to send to people through the mural?

Year Five pupils

Matin Nazar said: "This display can show the community that Ladybridge doesn’t support racism and never will."

Lola Prince said: " Everyone needs to be aware that hate towards these wonderful players needs to stop, they’re humans just like us. I have one message for all the bitter fans, how would you feel if you were them receiving all of this hate?"

Umar Patel said:"We stand by everyone that has faced racism and we want you to know us, Ladybridge Primary School, does not accept racism and always stands with anyone facing this abuse."

Noori Adam said: "Everyone should know that Ladybridge Primary School stands beside the people, who have faced racism or abuse and we will support them forever."

Olamiposi Adaranijo said: "I want all of the community to know that Ladybridge doesn’t and never will support racism, it isn’t the right thing. Just so you know, 'Love always wins' – Bukayo Saka."

Zachary Beddows said :"Kindness is always better than victory and love will always win at Ladybridge Primary School."

Zakaria Omar said: " A message that I would like to send to the community is that we will never encourage racism."

Zara Shahnwaz said: "We always stand beside the people who experience racism."

Safa Aslam said: "I hope this changes the opinion you might have and remember that love is the best way in life."

Eleora Awotedu said: " Knowing that some football fans are racist is embarrassing. At Ladybridge Primary School, we do not tolerate racism. It does not matter what someone’s skin colour is, but their personality and who they are."

Hassan Wassiem, aged 10, said: " Stop being racist because it's just a colour and there is nothing wrong with it."

Zainab Aswat, aged 10, said: " We are all unique and that's how we stand out."

Hussain Al-Hakim, aged 10, said: "We wanted to let them know that even though some people have been mean to them, not everyone thinks like that."