‘Bunny’ Shaw skips Man City game amid racist abuse towards her as the Club also declares unwavering support to her.
‘Bunny’ Shaw withdrew from Manchester City’s League Cup semi-final at Arsenal on Thursday night to protect her mental wellbeing.
She has been subjected to racist and misogynistic abuse after the sides’ Women’s Super League game on Sunday.
Shaw entered the game 66 minutes into City’s 4-3 loss to Arsenal at Joie Stadium, marking her 100th City appearance.
The team declared they were fully behind the Jamaican striker, who has scored 86 goals for City, and reported the abuse to the authorities.
Speaking on Sky Sports, City manager Gareth Taylor was asked how Shaw is faring: “It’s hard to say, we left yesterday and weren’t able to bring her with us on the journey,” he said. “It’s really difficult for me to analyse. Who knows what goes on in that world? When you’re affected by things like that it’s really really difficult.
“I’ve not had time to have a good conversation with her about it but she knows and needs to know that the whole club are behind her in this.”
Manchester City was horrified to hear that Khadija “Bunny” Shaw had been the target of racist and misogynistic taunts after Sunday’s match, the team said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“Discrimination of any kind, either in stadiums or online, will not be tolerated and has absolutely no place inside or outside the game.
“Bunny has decided not to share the messages publicly so as not to give the oxygen of publicity to the vile individuals who sent them. The content has been shared with the authorities. An investigation will follow, and the club offers our full support to Bunny following the disgusting treatment she’s received.”
The Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, the organisation responsible for the running of the WSL and Championship, said it was “shocked and saddened” by the abuse directed at Shaw. “Players, coaches and officials should be able to do their job without being subjected to abuse, either in person or online, and there is no place for it within women’s football or wider society,” it said.