Marcus Rashford has issued a statement on social media after being told a tabloid newspaper intends to publish photos of the footballer with a controversial rapper.
The 27-year-old Manchester United star addressed the impending story from an unnamed publication. On Thursday, he insisted he had no recollection of the images, nor did he know the person concerned.
His post referred to murdered schoolboy Jimmy Mizen, who was killed in 2008. Jake Fahri, who served 14 years of a life sentence for the horrific murder, was yesterday reportedly revealed as the rapper TEN. The balaclava-clad artist has been featured on BBC Radio 1Xtra, and has lyrics boasting about killing a person.
The Mirror reported that Rashford wrote in his Instagram story: “Been contacted today by a tabloid informing me that they plan to publish a photo of me with a rapper apparently taken over a year ago.
“I want to make it clear I have never seen this photo, I do not know this person, and I am not friends with him. Like most footballers if someone asks for a photo with me, I will never refuse but I am obviously not able to do a background check on every individual that asks me for a photo.
“Can I please urge the tabloids rather than focusing on me, to use their platforms to help raise positive awareness on the many charities and individuals that work daily throughout the UK to tackle knife crime to prevent more families suffering tragic loss. My deepest sympathy goes to the family of Jimmy Mizen.”
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Lyrics of one of TEN’s tracks, which was not played on the BBC, say: “Stuck it on a man and watched him melt like Ben and Jerry’s. Sharpen up my blade I’ve got to keep those necessary.” In another, they say: “See a man’s soul fly from his eyes and his breath gone. Seeing blood spilled same floor he was left on.”
A statement released by the broadcaster reads: “Decisions on music are made on a case by case basis and we have strict editorial guidelines in place before any content is broadcast or posted. BBC 1Xtra does not glamourise violence and this individual does not feature on any playlists.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has launched a probe into the killer. A spokesperson said: “We are aware of this content and are investigating it as a priority. We take any material that could glorify violence or distress victims extremely seriously.”
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