Bunny Shaw pulls out of Man City squad for League Cup clash against Arsenal after she received 'racist and misogynistic' abuse at the weekend

Manchester City Women's star Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw has withdrawn from their squad for Thursday's League Cup semi-final against Arsenal after she was sent racist and misogynistic messages at the weekend. Shaw, 28, is City's record goalscorer having netted 86 times since joining in 2021, while she is the current top scorer in the WSL with nine strikes in 11 matches. However, in the aftermath of their 4-3 defeat by the Gunners on Sunday, Shaw was subjected to vile abuse, with the club confirming in a statement that it had reported the matter to the relevant authorities.

And Shaw, who had been introduced as a 66th minute substitute in the clash, has now removed herself from City's squad for tonight's encounter against the same opponents. According to Sky Sports, the 28-year-old withdrew for her mental well-being - and CIty have promised to support her through the difficult situation. In a club statement on Tuesday, they said: 'Manchester City were appalled to learn that Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw was subjected to racist and misogynistic abuse following Sunday’s fixture.

Bunny Shaw has withdrawn from Man City's squad for their League Cup clash against Arsenal. Shaw was sent racist and misogynistic messages after City's defeat by the Gunners on Sunday. Shaw, who is City's all-time record goalscorer, is one of the best players in the WSL. '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. ‘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.’. The vile abuse towards Shaw came on the same weekend that Millie Bright received expletive insults during Chelsea's victory against Aston Villa, with the Blues skipper hitting back on social media, telling fans that players 'are not robots'.

The WPLL, who are in charge the WSL, subsequently released a statement condemning both incidents, while also offering support to Bright and Shaw. 'We are shocked and saddened to hear about the incidents that occurred over the weekend relating to Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw and Millie Bright,' they said on Wednesday. 'Players, coaches and officials should be able to do their job without being subjected to abuse, either in person or online, and there is no place for it within women's football or wider society.

Shaw, 28, has pulled out of City's squad on Thursday to prioritise her mental well-being. 'We are speaking to both clubs and offering any support they might need.'. Shaw had been making her second appearance since December in the clash against the Gunners, with the forward working her way back from injury. The 28-year-old, who has played 100 times for City, was crowned as the WSL Player of the Season and Golden Boot winner in the 2023-24 campaign.