SHEFFIELD UNITED star David McGoldrick was subjected to vile racist abuse on social media, hours after a boy, 12, was arrested over taunts to Wilfried Zaha.
The Republic of Ireland international was called an “ape” among several other taunts in a shocking rant that he later posted online.
David McGoldrick was subjected to vile racist abuse on social mediaCredit: PA:Press Association
The footballer captured a screen shot of the abuse received with ”2020 and this is life’
The sorry episode comes just hours after Crystal Palace star Zaha was sent similar racist abuse, also via Instagram’s direct messaging service.
West Midlands Police arrested a 12-year-old boy from Solihull after Zaha was called a “black c***” ahead of his side’s game with Aston Villa.
Sheffield United have vowed to work together with authorities to find the person behind the McGoldrick abuse, which was shown to have come from an Instagram account named ‘mma_notorious_mma’.
The player captioned the screenshot: “2020 and this is life.”
A club statement read: “As a club we will support David McGoldrick and will do all we can to find the perpetrator of this disgusting message.
“We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the person behind this post is brought to justice.
McGoldrick (right) revealed the sick abuse he was targeted with after scoring against ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
“This cannot continue. Something needs to change.”
McGoldrick scored his first Premier League goals with a brace against Chelsea on Saturday.
The message he received read: “You f******* dirty n*****! Your n***** life doesnt matter!
“F*** you ya bold c**n where were you when you played manure you f****** s*** ape.”
‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’
On Monday morning, Zaha stated his thanks for police in rapidly responding to his racist abuse.
He posted online: “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 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 and move on. It isn’t enough to say #notoracism. We need action, we need education, things need to change.”
Zaha (right) also suffered social media abuse, ahead of facing Aston VillaCredit: EPA
Arsenal and Palace legend Ian Wright has previously called on social media companies to do more to stop the abuse taking place on their platforms.
An Irish teenager was arrested after the ex-striker received a stream of vile abuse via Instagram earlier in the year.
Wright wrote about the incident: “Direct message to me on IG. This kid [h]as a direct line into me & is able to send this without any worry.”
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson speaks about ‘cowardly and despicable’ racial abuse levelled at Wilfried Zaha before Aston Villa match
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
