Man United: Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard pictured with disgraced ‘anti-Semitic’ rapper Wiley
Lame excuses from Man United stars Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard – known for their stance against racism – after they were pictured partying with disgraced ‘anti-Semitic’ rapper Wiley in Dubai
The Premier League stars are on a break as the season pauses until February 5Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard were spotted with disgraced rapper WileyThe Manchester United stars were seen with the artist in Dubai after a showWiley has previously sparked controversy with online ‘anti-semitic’ tirades Rashford addressed the image today saying it ‘could easily be misconstrued’
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Manchester United stars Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have been spotted partying with disgraced rapper Wiley.
In a photo shared by Wiley on Instagram, the Red Devils duo were seen posing alongside the rapper after a performance in Dubai on Sunday.
The grime artist has previously sparked controversy with his online anti-semitic tirades on a number of occasions.
Rashford addressed the image today, saying it ‘could easily be misconstrued’ and stating he ‘did not condone discriminative language or behaviour aimed at the Jewish community’, before later tweeting an apology.
He said: ‘I wasn’t aware of comments that had been made when I got pulled into a photo opportunity. Comments that I absolutely condemn. I apologise for any upset caused. We just all happened to be in the same place at the same time.’
Lingard later echoed Rashford’s statement, also saying the photo could be ‘easily misconstrued’ and he ‘did not condone any form of racism’.
Wiley was banned from Twitter in July 2020 after being widely condemned for a series of posts, including one which called Jewish people ‘cowards and snakes’.
He caused further controversy when he claimed his Jewish associates in the music and entertainment industry ‘still see us as slaves’ in an interview with The Voice newspaper.
He subsequently set up a new Twitter account under the handle @WileyRecordings, which the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) says was used to ‘spout racist hate towards Jews’.
Rashford has been hailed for his political work, speaking out against racism in football and using his public standing to put pressure on the UK government when it came to their free school meals programme.
Manchester United and England stars Jesse Lingard (left) and Marcus Rashford (right) were pictured with disgraced ‘anti-semitic’ rapper Wiley (centre) in Dubai
The Man United forward addressed the photo on Twitter, claiming ‘could easily be misconstrued’ and stating he ‘did not condone discriminative language aimed at the Jewish community’
Rashford added that he believes tackling anti-semitism in and outside of football should be given a ‘greater level of attention’
Lingard also said he ‘does not condone any form of racism’ and insisted the photo can ‘easily be misconstrued’
Last year, he was made an MBE on the back of his efforts to end child poverty by creating a level playing field for all ages and races.
The England international released a short statement in response to the image, insisting he ‘did not condone discriminative language or behaviour aimed at the Jewish community’.
‘This picture has been brought to my attention which I understand now, given context, could easily be misconstrued,’ he said.
‘I would like to reinforce that I do not and will not condone discriminative language or behaviour of any kind aimed at the Jewish community or any other community.
‘I truly believe that tackling antisemitism in and outside of the game requires a greater level of attention and should very much form part of the game’s anti-racism stance,’ he added.
In 2020, Lingard was one of a number of footballers to take part in a campaign to raise awareness about antisemitism.
The 29-year-old featured alongside fellow top-flight players and managers in a video to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, urging football fans to condemn hatred and antisemitism.
The midfielder has also spoken about the importance of education and Black History Month to combat racism.
Rashford received an MBE from Prince William in 2021 for his work against child poverty
He has advocated for social media platforms to introduce stricter measures, such as proof of ID, to prevent racist trolls.
Lingard released a brief statement on social media addressing the photo, he said: ‘I’ve been made aware of a photo circulating currently, that can easily be misconstrued.
‘I want to make it clear that I do not condone any form of racism whatsoever!’
Wiley, who has reportedly struggled to get bookings in the UK following his anti-semitic tirades, performed at a +44 event held at Club Blu Dubai in the V Hotel on Sunday.
He later posted the photo with the Premier League stars, alongside the caption: ‘Thank you @officialdjironik for getting me a booking and big up these dons.’
Twitter told Jewish News that Wiley’s account was ‘permanently suspended for violations of the Twitter rules on hateful conduct policy’
The grime artist performed at a +44 event held at Club Blu Dubai in the V Hotel on Sunday
United duo are enjoying a rest from Premier League action in Dubai during the winter break
Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment that the footballers, Rashford in particular, would pose with Wiley after their political work.
Actor Tracy-Ann Oberman posted: ‘Well this is depressing. Unashamed jew hater Wiley hanging out with someone I admire enormously.
‘Dear Marcus Rashford I hope someone informs you about Wiley’s repulsive hatred ASAP.’
Meanwhile, Jake Wallis Simons, Editor of the Jewish Chronicle wrote: ‘Guess Wiley’s antisemitism storm didn’t make a difference to Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford.’
Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment at the footballer’s actions
Another Twitter user described Rashford’s actions as an ‘odd move’ and questioned how United’s Jewish community would feel towards them.
‘As fantastic as Rashford has been politically for this country,’ they wrote. ‘Taking snaps with Wiley who has been an unapologetic and vocal antisemite in recent times is a somewhat odd move.
‘[I] genuinely wonder how Man United’s Jewish community feels about this…’
While another could not hold back their confusion, adding: ‘How can you do all the good in the world that Marcus Rashford does and then hang out with Wiley?
‘The man is literally a self confessed racist – confused is not the word.’
Social media users questioned how Manchester United’s Jewish community would feel
The England internationals appeared to travel to Dubai for some warm weather training during the league’s break.
Lingard posted a series of photos of him training in the sun with clear blue skies in the background, along with the caption: ‘Grind don’t stop.’
Rashford was also in on the social media action as shared three black-and-white photos of him shirtless hard at work on a training pitch, writing: ‘No days off.’
They were also pictured alongside musician Alice Kube at the event on Sunday in a photo posted to the artist’s Instagram.
She captioned the post: ‘Another eventful entry in the dubai diaries @marcusrashford @jesselingard.’
With the Premier League season halted until February 5, several top-flight stars have headed to the footballer’s playground of Dubai.
Lingard posted a series of photos showing him training under the Dubai sun on Monday
Rashford shared three black-and-white photos of him shirtless on a training pitch
The England internationals were also pictured alongside musician Alice Kube (centre) at the event in Dubai on Sunday
Dubai seems to be an extremely popular location for the Premier League players who are not on international duty to put their feet up.
Dubai has relatively simple travel rules regarding Covid-19 as travellers from the UK must do a PCR test no more than 48 hours before departure.
The United Arab Emirates has opened applications for tourist visas to vaccinated travellers from all countries.
Liverpool trio Andy Robertson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner grabbed the chance to squeeze in 18 holes of golf at one of the world’s most luxurious courses as they were among the big names competing in the Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am on Tuesday.
Jurgen Klopp’s players were paired with South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel, the winner of the Masters in 2011, as they took on the rest of the field, which included top golfers like Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett, at the stunning Majlis Course at The Emirates Golf Club.
(L to R): Andy Robertson, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all golfing in Dubai
Oxlade-Chamberlain plays from the back tee of the iconic 8th hole during the morning Pro-Am
Robertson (left) and Milner (right) admire their shots during their morning round on Tuesday
Rashford’s United team-mate Harry Maguire and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford were also present as the five top-flight stars swapped their boots for their clubs.
The England defender and goalkeeper were playing in another group on Tuesday alongside professional golfer Ryan Fox but they posed for a picture with Ryder Cup star and former Open winner Shane Lowry before they teed off.
The Irishman posted the image on Instagram, with the caption: ‘Great group today in Dubai. Easy money for the Irish.’
Manchester City star Jack Grealish, meanwhile, was reunited with his former Aston Villa team-mate John McGinn – it is believed the duo are in Dubai.
Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford were both also playing the Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am
Jack Grealish (right) and John McGinn (left) are also in Dubai, with the England star calling McGinn his ‘brother’
