MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City has fiercely condemned the racist and misogynistic abuse directed at star striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw following Sunday’s dramatic Women’s Super League (WSL) clash against Arsenal.
The club, expressing its deep outrage, has referred the matter to law enforcement, vowing to stand firmly beside the Jamaican international.
Shaw, who notched her 100th appearance for Manchester City during the 4-3 thriller at the Joie Stadium, was subjected to a vile barrage of online attacks in the aftermath of the game. The 28-year-old, who has been in blistering form this season, currently leads the WSL scoring charts with nine goals.
In a strongly worded statement, Manchester City denounced the abhorrent behavior, reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on discrimination.
“Discrimination of any kind, either in stadiums or online, will not be tolerated and has absolutely no place inside or outside the game.”
The club further revealed that Shaw had chosen not to share the hateful messages publicly, ensuring that the perpetrators were not given the oxygen of publicity.
“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.”
A star striker’s unstoppable rise
Since arriving from Bordeaux in France, Shaw has been nothing short of phenomenal for Manchester City, netting an astonishing 86 goals in 100 appearances. Her consistent excellence has earned her two consecutive Club Player of the Year awards, as well as the prestigious PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year honors in 2024.
Despite the despicable abuse, the prolific forward remains a cornerstone of City’s attacking force, spearheading their pursuit of WSL glory.
A wider issue in women’s football
Shaw’s ordeal comes amid broader concerns over abuse in the women’s game. The same weekend, Chelsea and England captain Millie Bright revealed she had been targeted with verbal abuse from a Chelsea supporter.
Responding to these incidents, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), which oversees the WSL, issued a statement condemning the attacks:
“We are shocked and saddened to hear about the incidents that occurred over the weekend relating to Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Millie Bright.
Players, coaches, and officials should be able to do their jobs without being subjected to abuse, either in person or online, and there is no place for it within women’s football or wider society.”
The governing body assured fans and clubs that it was working closely with Manchester City and Chelsea to provide any necessary support.
While Shaw continues to let her football do the talking, the wider football community is once again forced to confront the toxic undercurrent of discrimination that persists in the sport. Manchester City’s firm response, coupled with increased scrutiny from governing bodies, signals a continued push toward a safer, more inclusive footballing environment—one in which players can thrive free from hatred.
