Man City star Khadija Shaw withdraws from squad to face Arsenal in League Cup semi-final after receiving racist and misogynistic abuse online

Shaw was the subject of racist and misogynistic abuse after Manchester City's latest fixture on Sunday, when they were beaten 4-3 by the Gunners in the Women's Super League. The Jamaica international, who only returned from an injury setback last month, came off the bench with 65 minutes on the clock in that game.

Man City reported the abuse Shaw received after the match to the police and, according to Sky Sports, the reason for her absence on Thursday was because the player herself withdrew from the squad, for her own mental well-being.

On Tuesday, the club released a statement which read: "Manchester City were appalled to learn that Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw was subjected to racist and misogynistic abuse following Sunday's fixture. 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."

A statement from the WPLL, which manages the WSL, on Wednesday said it was "offering any support" that Man City and Shaw might need.

Speaking to Sky Sports after City defeated Arsenal 2-1 in Thursday's League Cup semi-final, head coach Gareth Taylor was asked how Shaw was feeling. "It's hard to say," he said. "We left yesterday and weren't able to bring her with us on the journey. It's really difficult for me to analyse because who knows what goes on in that world and when you're affected by things like that, it's really difficult. I've not really had time to have a good conversation with her about it but she knows, and needs to know, that the whole club are behind her in this."

Shaw has been a goal-scoring sensation since arriving in England in the summer of 2021, scoring a remarkable 86 goals in 99 games for the Cityzens. Last season, she netted 21 times in just 18 WSL matches to win the Golden Boot.

Manchester City will look to support Shaw as best they can in order to help her feel ready to compete again soon, while the relevant authorities look into the abuse she received.