Dylan Bettencourt
The United Kingdom education minister Gavin Williamson was heavily criticised on Wednesday for confusing footballer Marcus Rashford with rugby player Maro Itoje.
In an interview with the Evening Standard Williamson was asked if he’d ever met Manchester United attacker Rashford.
Williamson answered that he met the footballer during a campaign to extend free school meals around the country.
“We met over Zoom and he seemed incredibly engaged, compassionate and charming,” said the minister, saying that the player had to leave the meeting.
Williamson’s team however corrected the minister, stating that he was in fact talking about the time he met Itoje, a star England rugby player, well-known around the world and recognisable to most sports fans. Itoje campaigned to improve access to laptops and the internet for children who could not attend school during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement the minister said he made a “genuine mistake” in confusing the two campaigns led by the two British athletes. He said he respected both athletes and the work they do in aiding children throughout England.
In a lighthearted response on Twitter Itoje said:: “Due to recent speculation I thought it was necessary to confirm that I am not Marcus Rashford. And my name is not Mario either. Simple Maro Itoje will do.” He signed off with: “Much love, Marcu … I mean Maro Itoje.”
Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party tweeted: “According to Gavin Williamson a black man from Wythenshawe who plays football for England looks the same as a black man from North London who plays rugby for England.”
Williamson has been under fire for his handling of school closures during the pandemic with several reports suggesting that he will lose his job during a potential reshuffle by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Image source: @TheIndependent
