Taylor confirms Shaw´s return to Man City squad after abuse

Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor has confirmed Khadija Shaw has returned to first-team training, having missed Thursday’s League Cup win over Arsenal due to receiving racist and misogynistic abuse.

Online abuse was directed at Shaw following City’s 4-3 defeat to Arsenal last Sunday in the Women’s Super League, with the club reporting it to the Greater Manchester Police.

The police have said that their “investigations are ongoing”.

Taylor revealed in Friday’s press conference that Shaw had returned to training and that he had spoken to the player, ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Leicester City in the FA Cup.

He condemned the “unacceptable abuse” she received and reiterated the support she had from everyone connected to the club.

He said: “Bunny’s back with us today. She’s okay and trained with the team, which is good, so that’s it. I’ve spoken to her. Respectfully, I’m not going to share that.

“I don’t think we want to give any more airtime to this really bad issue she’s had to suffer with. There’s no place for it in any walk of life.

“It’s not acceptable; never will be and never should be. We’ll support Bunny in the right way, whatever that support looks like.”

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.… pic.twitter.com/mghP7kB5FF

— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) February 4, 2025

It is still unclear what role Shaw, who has scored 86 goals for the club, will play in City’s fifth-round tie against the Foxes.