Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has urged Instagram and authorities to take stronger action against online racism after he was subjected to vile abuse following his team’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus.
Walker, 34, shared a screenshot of the offensive message on Instagram, condemning the “vile, racist, and threatening abuse” and calling for immediate intervention to prevent such incidents.
“No one should ever experience this,” Walker wrote, adding that he and his team remain committed to improving on the field and fostering unity.
Manchester City issued a statement strongly condemning the abuse, pledging their full support to Walker and reiterating their zero-tolerance stance on discrimination. The Premier League also emphasized its commitment to addressing hate, urging fans to report any discriminatory incidents.
This is not the first time Walker has faced such abuse. Similar incidents in 2021 highlighted the ongoing challenge of tackling racism online, despite Instagram’s stated efforts to improve its measures.
Walker, who joined Manchester City in 2017, has played 315 matches for the club, earning six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.
