Man City, Pep Guardiola and Kyle Walker speak out after the footballer gets racially abused online after the Juventus game.
Kyle Walker said “Instagram and the authorities need to stop this happening” after he was racially abused after Man City’s 2-0 defeat in the Champions League in midweek.
He played the full 90 minutes in Turin on Wednesday as his side fell to a 7th defeat in 10 games, but ended up after the game appealing for action on an Instagram story where he used a screenshot of a racist message which was sent to him.
“No-one should ever be subject to the sort of vile, racist and threatening abuse I have received online since last night’s match,” Walker wrote on Instagram.
“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 turn the corner together.”
Instagram said around the time it was continuing to work on measures to tackle online abuse.
— Kyle Walker (@kylewalker2) December 12, 2024
The club said: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that Kyle Walker was subject to online following last night’s fixture.
“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.”
Pep Guardiola on Kyle Walker being racially abused on Instagram: “First of all it is not acceptable. Not just because it’s Kyle, but for any human being. Unfortunately in this world it happens many times.
“Of course, he has the support from the entire club.”
The Premier League said: “Racism has no place in our game or anywhere in society.
“We encourage anyone who hears or sees discriminatory abuse to report it so action can be taken.
“The Premier League will support Kyle Walker and the club to tackle online hate.”
Anyone who hears anything at the match to use Kick It Out’s Report It tool and they will investigate every incident. You can also download the Report It app for iOS and Android. The Premier League has a good explainer here on how to report social media abuse.
Pep Guardiola on how he is finding the situation they are in: “In our jobs we will always do our best and when the best doesn’t happen you are more uncomfortable than when the situation is going well. As a manager you are in scrutiny for every step of the team.
“But I am fine. I have more thoughts at this moment but what I feel right now is the same as what I’ve said for the last few weeks or month. Nothing has changed.
“I’m really pleased with the way we’ve played. I know from my career when we are playing good and not so good.
“We have to shoot more and cut out the mistakes. But we have been in the games.
“We have not been consistent for the 90 minutes but I know the reason why. We just have to keep working and moving forward.”
Pep Guardiola on the financial accounts that were published on Friday and whether that means they can strengthen in January: “What I want is my players back. The complete squad we had at the beginning of the season. My regret is that we don’t we have these and not needing new ones.
“Massive congratulations on the accounts because the club must be sustainable. That doesn’t mean we have big, big resources to buy whatever we want, especially with how expensive the transfer market is.”
“What I want is my players back” 🗣️
Pep Guardiola on whether or not Manchester City will be entering the transfer market in January. pic.twitter.com/idSrZNUIxp
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 13, 2024
Giving an update on Manuel Akanji’s injury: “It is discomfort in the area of the pelvis. It doesn’t feel good. He made an incredible effort playing against Bournemouth. He wasn’t even at half of his best but at the end he had to step back.
“He’s such a strong and reliable player but he cannot be there [on Sunday].”
On the Manchester derby: “It is a football game. It is emotional for the fans and it has been special in recent years.
“In these type of games the less emotional you are the better.”
On whether he will look for a player to replace Rodri in the January transfer window: “If we need players then we go to the transfer market but I don’t know who is around.
“We have known it from the beginning but Rodri is a Ballon D’Or player. We are playing without the best player in England last season. That is the problem.
“Not one other team plays with a central defender who has a Ballon D’or. It is difficult.
“The moment he comes back, we will be strong again. We will be a good team.
“Of course, we still have to try and play the same way and to win. Sooner or later we are going to be back.”
On having a depleted defence: “I don’t know what I have to do. I need players. We have three but we will see what happens.
“Maybe some winger will have to play as a full-back or maybe we play with five at the back.
“We are thinking what to do, but the soul and spirit of the team is there. I am sad for the players.
“I know and completely understand our fans may be sad. This group of players have made an era and done things no one else has done. Broken records. I just call the supporters to be there until the end.
“We have more injuries than ever and it’s made me think that you need a squad of 45/50 players. It would be more expensive for the summer but maybe you need more depth of squad.
“The schedule is the problem, it’s not the physios, doctors or players. This is the truth.”
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