When football meets politics - Marcus Rashford

2020 – a year dominated by the global pandemic and political turbulence. During these times, one footballer stood out, not just for his talent on the pitch, but also for his unexpected venture into British politics.

Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford’s story is not just about a footballer looking for change, but also about the growing role of athletes in politics, a field often dominated by activists or policymakers.

Rashford challenged the perception that sport and politics should be left as separate entities, and soon emerged as a prominent figure in the fight against child food poverty in the UK, pushing the government in ways athletes have avoided in the past.

The beginning of this campaign came in June 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rashford began to use his platform to address a major societal issue – child food poverty. The Conservative British government had decided to end a scheme providing meal vouchers to families during school holidays, a move that left 1.3 million children without access to basic supplements.

Rashford, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, had experienced the struggles of food poverty firsthand. In an open letter to MPs, he spoke about his own experiences as a child, growing up reliant on free school meals.

Urging Boris Johnson’s government to make a U-turn, he stated, “This is not about politics; this is about humanity.”

Rashford launched the #maketheUturn trend on Twitter and attracted immense support as the hashtag was used thousands of times within the first few days. The government was forced to act, and Johnson announced the plan to fund free school meal vouchers over the summer holidays, a scheme that would cost £120 million. The U-turn was not driven by politicians or charities, instead it was brought about by a 22-year-old Manchester United footballer.

Rashford’s campaign uncovered a strong connection between athletes and political discourse. The Englishman didn’t just raise awareness of the child poverty issue; he forced the government’s hand – a strong message to others in a privileged position that they can use their own platform to bring about change.

This was far from a one-off victory. Rashford continued his fight into 2021 and beyond, leading further campaigns to extend free school meal vouchers over the Christmas holidays. Once more, the government obliged and committed to £170 million to a winter support package, and a further £220 million to expand the Holiday Activities and Food Programme designed to provide meals during school holidays through to the end of 2022.

Rashford’s campaign was successful as his personal story gave his message a backbone. Growing up relying on free school meals, his call for change was rooted within his own childhood.

According to the Food Foundation, around 4.2 million children in the UK were living in poverty in 2020, and free school meals were a crucial source of nutrition. This added a humanitarian touch to the campaign that resonated with the people of the UK, particularly during the struggles of the pandemic.

The Mancunian’s use of social media was also key to the campaign’s success. With over 14 million followers on Instagram and Twitter, Rashford ignored traditional media and spoke directly to the people.

This approach helped gain support, placing increasing pressure on MPs to act. His approach was collaborative – he didn’t just take aim at the government; he offered solutions and reformation. Working closely with FareShare, Rashford helped raise funds to provide meals for those in need, and by November 2020, over £20 million had been raised, helping to distribute 21 million free meals across the nation.

Despite his successes, Rashford’s actions attracted criticism. Politicians and national media outlets accused him of abusing his role as a star athlete.

Conservative MP Brendan Clarke-Smith suggested Rashford’s efforts fostered a “dependency culture” and MP Ben Bradley made controversial social media remarks suggesting free meals lead to increased crime in areas of poverty – comments widely condemned by the nation.

These comments unveiled a deeper divide in British politics. On one side were those who viewed food poverty as a pressing issue requiring government intervention, while on the other were politicians who framed Rashford’s actions as an overreach into areas that should remain the business of parents and communities, not the state.

Despite the backlash, Rashford’s influence continued to grow. His success forced politicians to confront uncomfortable questions about the state’s role in addressing poverty, and whether it was appropriate for an athlete to be leading the charge.

Rashford’s campaign is now seen as a defining moment in the intersection of sport and politics. It wasn’t just a win for food poverty - it was a win for athlete activism. Rashford demonstrated that athletes have a legitimate place in political discourse, especially when it comes to advocating for social justice.

His activism also challenged the traditional narrative that athletes should remain apolitical. Far from sticking to football, Rashford showed that athletes can be powerful advocates for change, using their platforms to challenge the policies and structures perpetuating inequality.

In 2020, Rashford wasn’t just a footballer. He became a political figure, shaping government policy in a way few could have predicted. In doing so, he redefined the role of the modern athlete - not just as an entertainer or role model, but as a force for social and political change.