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Marcus Rashford takes a knee and raises fist in return to football after forcing govt U-turn

The player was back in action after getting the PM to reverse his plan to halt food vouchers week for disadvantaged children.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford raises his fist as he kneels in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign
Image: Manchester United's Marcus Rashford raises his fist as he kneels in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign
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Marcus Rashford joined fellow players in showing his support for the Black Lives Matter movement as he returned to action for Manchester United, just days after forcing a government U-turn.

The striker took to the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for his side's first Premier League match in four months.

And he was joined by all 21 other players and match officials in taking a knee before kick-off, in a public show of backing for the anti-racism campaign.

Players take a knee at the beginning of the game between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United
Image: All 22 players along with match officials take a knee at the beginning of the game

Players and officials have performed the gesture before each match since the return of Premier League football following its suspension due to coronavirus lockdown measures.

The Manchester-born forward also raised a clenched fist, a symbol of solidarity adopted by BLM supporters that is also commonly associated with the Black Power civil rights movement of 1960s and 1970s.

Rashford's involvement in the game came just days after he forced Boris Johnson's government to reverse its plan to scrap food vouchers week for disadvantaged children over the summer.

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The England star said following the victory that he hoped to use his profile to help change society for the better.

More on Black Lives Matter

Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said it was "a bit crazy" the campaign had worked and that he was happy it would make a difference to people's lives.

The 22-year-old said fellow England player Raheem Sterling's reaction to being racially abused was a "turning point" for footballers hoping to help bring about change.

"Now people are willing to make that first step towards being heard and I think the first important factor for that was Raheem, when he went through his situation of being racially abused and how he stood up to that," he said.

Aston Villa and Sheffield United are joined by the referee in taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement
Image: Players have taken a knee before each match since the Premier League returned
"He's not afraid to come out and speak about it and it's definitely changed how to approach situations for people in the sport."

Rashford said his generation was more willing to speak out.

"We have to make England what we want it to look like.

"My view on it is it's a generational thing. Generations change and people improve as humans should."

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Rashford has previously spoken about how his family had relied on free school meals, food banks and soup kitchens while he was growing up.

The game in north London finished 1-1, after a late Bruno Fernandes equaliser cancelled out Steven Bergwijn's first-half strike for Spurs.