Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has issued a statement after claiming that a photo of himself alongside a rapper is set to be published by a British tabloid newspaper.
The image has not been published as of 7pm on Thursday evening but the reference to Jimmy Mizen in Rashford’s statement suggests that the rapper in the photo is UK drill artist TEN, whose real name is Jake Fahri, a 35-year-old who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years in 2009 for Mizen’s murder.
Fahri, then 19, threw an oven dish at Mizen which shattered and severed blood vessels in the 16-year-old’s neck in a south London bakery.
The Ministry of Justice has now begun an investigation into Farhi after it emerged that he appeared to reference Mizen’s death in his music.
Rashford claims the photo was taken over a year ago and insists he is not friends with the rapper he was pictured alongside.
A statement from Rashford on Thursday evening read: ‘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.’
United are playing Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday evening but Rashford has not been named in the squad.
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