Pep Guardiola responds to racist and misogynistic abuse aimed at Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has responded to the abuse directed at the club’s star women’s striker Bunny Shaw last weekend after the defeat to Arsenal.

The club stated in light of last weekend’s Women’s Super League defeat to the North London club that they were “appalled” having learned that Shaw was subjected to racist and misogynistic abuse online.

Manchester City also confirmed in an official club statement that the content had been shared with relevant authorities and an investigation would be held, while the 28-year-old striker had decided not to share the messages to avoid giving those responsible any publicity.

A statement from the Etihad Stadium club read, “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. An investigation will follow, and the club offers our full support to Bunny following the disgusting treatment she’s received.”

Bunny Shaw, in a decision reached with the club and with their full support, also opted to withdraw from the Manchester City side that recorded a 1-2 away win over Arsenal in the Subway Women’s League Cup on Thursday evening in order to protect her mental wellbeing.

Now speaking for the first time since the incident and after Manchester City’s official club comment, men’s first-team head coach Pep Guardiola was handed the opportunity to speak out on the matter himself.

“We would be lucky if this was just in world football. Unfortunately it’s in the whole entire world,” Guardiola told reporters during a pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

“Look to the politicians! What they say about this country is better than the other ones, or the other ones are not important, and all the people have to live [like this],” he continued.

“Unfortunately it is all around the world, and football is another expression; not just for the fact that you are a woman, or you are a different skin colour and that makes you better – it’s really more difficult for me to understand that people can defend these stupid things.

“I support her, like I support all people who receive abuse in terms of racism, gender.”

Following the dramatic win over Arsenal in League Cup action this week, women’s head coach Gareth Taylor confirmed that Bunny Shaw had returned to training with the rest of the group this week.

“I have spoken to her but respectfully, I don’t want to share that. There is a caring side with the club. The level of support looks different for each person but we will support Bunny in the right way,” Taylor said on Friday.