MANCHESTER, England—Following Manchester City’s defeat to Juventus in the Champions League, captain Kyle Walker revealed that he faced “horrific, racist, and menacing harassment” online. He urged social media companies to take stronger measures against such misconduct, highlighting the urgent need to protect those enduring similar treatment.

In response to the abuse, Manchester City vehemently condemned it, labelling the acts as “disgusting” and affirming their commitment to providing Walker with comprehensive support during this troubling time.

Walker shared an instance of the racist messages he received on his Instagram Stories, expressing that both Instagram and relevant authorities must take action to prevent such incidents from occurring. He emphasized, “This behavior is never acceptable.”

The official account for England on the social media platform X also expressed their disappointment regarding Walker’s treatment. They stated, “It is incredibly disheartening to learn that Kyle has faced such despicable behavior on social media. Discrimination in any form is wholly intolerable. We advocate for rigorous action by both law enforcement and social media platforms.”

The defeat to Juventus resulted in a 2-0 scoreline, marking a challenging phase for Manchester City, as they have only secured one victory in their past ten matches across all competitions. This decline in performance is unsettling for a team that has won the Premier League title for the last four consecutive seasons. The loss places City in a precarious position concerning their Champions League hopes.

Walker concluded by addressing the fanbase, assuring them, “We will persist in striving for improvements as a team, and we will work together to overcome these challenges.”