Khadija "Bunny" Shaw's milestone 100th appearance for Manchester City was overshadowed by an unfortunate incident of abuse following Sunday's Women's Super League match against Arsenal. Despite her commendable performance, scoring 86 goals for the club and being named Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons, Shaw faced racist and misogynistic messages post-defeat. The club expressed their dismay, stating they are "appalled" by the abusive behavior directed at the Jamaica international.
In response to the offensive messages, Shaw, 28, chose not to publicize the disturbing content. Her decision reflects a desire to avoid granting attention to those responsible. Manchester City released a statement emphasizing their support for Shaw and their commitment to addressing the broader issue of discrimination in the sport.
"Discrimination of any kind, either in stadiums or online, will not be tolerated and has absolutely no place inside or outside the game."
Shaw's contributions to Manchester City's success have been significant, marking her as a key player within the team. The recent incident is not her first encounter with abuse, highlighting an ongoing concern in women's football. The club is actively working to support Shaw and combat similar issues of abuse within the sport.
"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 situation has brought renewed focus on the persistent problem of abuse faced by players, particularly in women's sports. Manchester City remains committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all its athletes, ensuring such behavior is eradicated from the game.
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