Manchester City's Kyle Walker calls for action after online racist abuse

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has called for tougher action to tackle online abuse after receiving “vile, racist and threatening” messages following Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Juventus. Walker played the entire Champions League match in Turin but could not help Pep Guardiola's side avoid a seventh defeat in 10 matches. The England international posted on his social media account on Thursday a screenshot of a message he received from an anonymous user on Instagram, which used vulgar racist language.

“No one should have to be subjected to the kind of disgusting, racist and threatening abuse I have received online since last night's match,” Walker wrote on his Instagram account.

“Instagram and the authorities need to stop this from happening for the sake of everyone who suffers from this abuse. This is never acceptable.”

“For our fans, we will continue to work as a team to do better, improve and work together more.”

The city condemned the racist attack. A club statement said: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that happened to Kyle Walker online following last night’s program.

“We refuse to tolerate discrimination of any kind, whether in the stadium or online.”

A statement from the Premier League said: “The Premier League condemns all forms of discrimination. Racism has no place in our game or anywhere in society. We encourage anyone who hears or witnesses discriminatory abuse to report it. So that action can be taken.”

“The Premier League will support Kyle Walker and the club in tackling online hate.”