Crystal Palace have made a statement today (Monday) on how serious the club takes racism and discrimination, after Wilfried Zaha hit out at Manchester United and Liverpool fans on social media for calling him a “black monkey.”
The 24-year-old was at the Premier League Asia Trophy with the Eagles this past week where the Eagles finished 3rd after losing to Liverpool in the semi-final and beating Tony Pulis’ West Brom on Saturday in the 3rd/4th play-off.
In a message on Instagram, the young winger wrote a message saying the following: “If Man United and Liverpool fans feel better by calling me a black monkey in my messages .. feel free to carry on if it makes your day better.”
In a statement released by the South London club on cpfc.co.uk on Monday, the club said it would treat all incidents of racism and discrimination with a great amount of seriousness. The statement said:
“Crystal Palace Football Club take all forms of racism and discrimination with the utmost seriousness and will take appropriate measures to ensure abuse of any nature received by players, staff or supporters is reported to the relevant authorities.”
Diversity group, Kick It Out, have also commented on the footballer’s Instagram post by saying: “Kick It Out was disgusted to read that online racial abuse has been directed at Zaha,” a spokesman said. “It is completely unacceptable that any person should have to suffer this type of abuse.”
Kick It Out have contacted both the player and Crystal Palace to offer support.
