Kyle Walker and Manchester City issue statements on racist abuse directed towards Etihad Stadium captain | OneFootball

Manchester City have released a statement concerning racist abuse sent in the direction of the club’s captain, Kyle Walker this week.

Such abuse came in light of the Premier League champions’ latest negative result across competitions, as a seventh defeat in the last 10 games left Manchester City 22nd in the UEFA Champions League table.

In that same period, City have won just one game as concerns continue to grow over the club’s fate across competitions, and whether they can mount a challenge for silverware come the end of the season.

One player who has struggled more than most in terms of performance levels is Kyle Walker, with the 34-year-old showcasing a declining level of pace, reading of the game, and directly contributing to a number of goals during the last 10 games in particular.

However, online abuse sent in the direction of the legendary Premier League full-back resulted in unacceptable racist messaging in light of the club’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus on Wednesday night, of which the Etihad club have now condemned.

In a statement released by Manchester City on their club website this week, the Premier League champions said, “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that Kyle Walker was subject to online following last night’s fixture.”

The statement continued, “We refuse to tolerate discrimination of any kind, regardless of whether that be in stadiums or online. We will be offering Kyle our full support following the disgusting treatment he has received.”

Walker himself followed the club’s lead with a statement of his own issued on Instagram, as he wrote, “No one should ever be subject to the sort of vile, racist and threatening abuse I have received online since last night’s match.

“Instagram and the authorities need to stop this happening for the sake of all who are suffering this abuse. It is never acceptable.

“To our fans, we will continue to work as a team to do better, to improve, and to turn the corner together.”

Manchester City will now look to bounce back immediately to their disappointing outing in Turin as they turn their attentions to a mammoth outing at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United are the visitors this weekend as Ruben Amorim’s men look to inflict further pain on an already struggling City side, who are hoping to prevent losing further ground on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.