Kyle Walker suffers vile racist abuse as Man City respond with strong statement

Manchester City have condemned "vile" racial abuse suffered by Kyle Walker in the aftermath of Wednesday's defeat to Juventus.

A statement from Manchester City read: "Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that Kyle Walker was subject to online following last night’s fixture.

"We refuse to tolerate discrimination of any kind, regardless of whether that be in stadiums or online. We will be offering Kyle our full support following the disgusting treatment he has received."

Walker himself has also spoken out. He shared an image of a message he received reading: "Bro you can f*** around and die you stupid a** n****"."

Alongside the post, Walker wrote: “No one should ever be subject to the sort of vile, racist and threatening abuse I have received online since last night’s match. @instagram and the authorities need to stop this happening for the sake of all who are suffering this abuse.

“It is never acceptable. To our fans, we will continue working as a team to do better, to improve, and to turn the corner together.”

Walker, 34, has made 14 appearances in all competitions this season. The 93-time England international has won the Champions League, six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups, as well as a host of other titles during his time with City.

He was only named as City captain at the start of this season, with Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan all among the club's leadership group.

But they could not do anything to stop Juventus running out victorious in midweek. Goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie condemned City to defeat in Turin, leaving City's Champions League place is in jeopardy

It was their seventh defeat in their last ten outings in all competitions. And it leaves them sitting 22nd in the Champipons League table and under real threat of losing a place in the playoffs ahead of their final group fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Club Brugge.

Man City are back in action this weekend as they welcome cross-city rivals Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium. They then face another testing game before Christmas with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday 21 December.

Speaking after the defeat to Juventus, Pep Guardiola said: "Of course [I am questioning myself]. I have my thoughts. I'm stable in good moments and bad moments. I try to find a way to do it. I'm incredibly honest. If we play good, we play good.

"The dressing room is stable. Win we are happy, lose we are not. What can we do? Feel sorry for ourselves. No, we improve it and go forward. We have been in this situation this month many times. Tomorrow recover, prepare for United with our people, insist in the good things we do and try to be better."