Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil and Marcus Rashford MBE lead footballers taking a stand against police br -

MARCUS RASHFORD MBE and Mesut Ozil are among the footballers taking a stand against police brutality in Nigeria.

The pair both took to social media to voice their support of the #EndSARS movement.

Momentum is gathering as protestors fight against the federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars), widely accused of unlawful arrests, torture and murder.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari said he is committed to reforming the policing in his country - but those leading the #EndSARS charge want the force disbanded rather than reformed.

Rashford - who will receive his MBE for his work to help ensure 1.3million children received free school meals - shared a tweet from fellow England international Tammy Abraham.

The Chelsea striker could have chosen to represent Nigeria instead of the Three Lions.

He wrote: "Dear Nigeria #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality"

Rashford added: "My thoughts and prayers with all of those affected #EndSARS"

Unsurprisingly, the tweet received plenty of positive reaction from followers.

One wrote: "What a human you are king."

Horrible to hear what’s been going on in Nigeria. Let's make this a trending topic everywhere ▶️ #EndSARS - My thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected. 🇳🇬💚 #EndPoliceBrutality

— Mesut Özil (@M10) October 11, 2020

I met again with the IGP tonight. Our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt. I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the Police are fully accountable to the people. pic.twitter.com/yoLoZt7Et9

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 9, 2020

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Another replied: "Marcus, you are the epitome of everything a human-being can be."

Ozil has not played a competitive minute of football for Arsenal since March and was left out of the Europa League squad.

But he continued his commendable social justice action.

That includes donating £80,000 to Muslims affected by coronavirus during Ramadan, setting up a clothes brand to support children in Italy and speaking out on the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China - a stance Arsenal distanced themselves from.

The German wrote on Twitter: "Horrible to hear what’s been going on in Nigeria.

"Let's make this a trending topic everywhere #EndSARS - my thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected. #EndPoliceBrutality"

Chelsea defenders Fikayo Tomori and Antonio Rudiger also tweeted their support of the movement to end police brutality in Nigeria.

The latter said: "Police brutality in Nigeria needs attention. You do that to your own people. It is so sad what is going on there. This has to end #PeaceFirst #EndSARS"

Police brutality in Nigeria needs attention. You do that to your own people.💔 It is so sad what is going on there. 🇳🇬 This has to end ❌🙏🏾 #PeaceFirst #EndSARS

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) October 10, 2020

Leicester City and Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi added: "EndSARS for the safety of Nigerians…

"We are scared to visit home because the people who are meant to protect us are killing us. Looking good with dreads is not a crime."

Ndidi's international team-mate Alex Iwobi wrote: "We Need To Put An End To What’s Going On In Naij. Protect Lives , Not Take Them Away. #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality"

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