Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw Withdraws from League Cup Semi-Final Amid Online Abuse

Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw withdrew from Manchester City's League Cup semi-final against Arsenal due to receiving racist and misogynistic abuse online following a recent match. The club expressed its shock and disappointment at the treatment Shaw received, emphasizing that such discrimination will not be tolerated. Shaw's decision to step back was aimed at protecting her mental well-being, and she has chosen not to publicly share the messages to avoid giving attention to the perpetrators. Manchester City has reported the abuse to the authorities and is providing full support to Shaw during this difficult time. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about online abuse faced by female athletes, with FIFA reporting that many players experienced such targeted harassment during the Women's World Cup in 2023. Shaw, a key player for City, has been recognized for her contributions, scoring 86 goals and being named player of the year in the past two seasons.