Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement
Soccer

'Racist abuse cannot be tolerated' | FAI offer support to McGoldrick

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has condemned the online racist abuse received by David...



'Racist abuse cannot be tolera...
Soccer

'Racist abuse cannot be tolerated' | FAI offer support to McGoldrick

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has condemned the online racist abuse received by David McGoldrick over the weekend.

On Sunday night the Republic of Ireland striker posted on Instagram Stories, a message that he had received via Instagram Direct with his own caption, "2020 and this is life".

The FAI has joined his club Sheffield United in offering their support to McGoldrick.

"The Football Association of Ireland condemns the online racist abuse aimed at our striker David McGoldrick and joins Sheffield United in offering David all the support we can give him at this time," said an FAI spokesman.

"Such behaviour is appalling and cannot be tolerated by football or society.”

The message was sent in the wake of what should have been a joyous weekend for McGoldrick who scored his first two top-flight goals in a 3-0 win against Chelsea.

The account where the message came from has since been deleted but the Premier League club have pledged to find the person responsible.

"As a club we will support David McGoldrick and will do all we can to find the perpetrator of this disgusting message," the club announced in a Twitter post.

"We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the person behind this post is brought to justice.

"This cannot continue. Something needs to change."

Meanwhile Wilfred Zaha has thanked West Midlands Police for their swift action in arresting a 12-year-old boy in connection with racist social media messages sent to the Crystal Palace winger at the weekend.

The boy has been released under investigation as West Midlands Police continue their enquiries.

"Very disappointed we didn't get a better result yesterday but I wanted to come on here to thank you all for all your messages of support," Zaha wrote in a Twitter post.

"I would also like to thank West Midlands Police for their swift action in making an arrest.

"People need to understand that whatever your age, that your behaviour and your words come with consequences and you cannot hide behind social media.

"It is important social media platforms do as they did yesterday and seek out these individuals and remove them.

"This is not the first time I have received messages like this, nor am I the only player to receive messages like this - it happens every day.

"I want to thank everyone for the love and support but enough is enough! It is not enough to be disgusted by these messages I received and move on.

"It isn't enough to just say #notoracism. We need action, we need education, things need to change."

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Crystal Palace David McGoldrick FAI Football Association Of Ireland Premier League Republic Of Ireland Sheffield United Wilfred Zaha