Social Media Abuse: Chelsea release statement to condemn Conor Gallagher abuse video
Chelsea have released a statement saying that a clip of Conor Gallagher with a mascot before the Premier League clash against Burnley have been taken out of context.
Clips from the players lining up in the tunnel before the match show Gallagher missing a handshake offered by one of the mascots as the players prepared to make their way onto the pitch. Gallagher wore the captain’s armband for the game and led the team in the 2-2 draw.
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the club said: “Chelsea Football Club is aware of a video clip circulating on social media from Saturday’s fixture against Burnley, which has been taken considerably out of context.
“The subsequent level of abuse and defamatory comments directed towards Conor Gallagher is completely unacceptable.
“We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.”
Gallagher has been a key player for the Blues under Mauricio Pochettino this season with the game against Burnley the latest to see him start with the captain’s armband. He was linked with a move away from Chelsea in the summer and Tottenham were showing interest
The midfielder will have just one year remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge come the end of the season, but the player wants to stay at the club and sign a new deal, although nothing has been agreed yet. “I think he’s a player with a great commitment to the team, always trying to compensate every single situation,” Pochettino said of Gallagher earlier this season.
“It’s priceless to have a player like him. I’m so happy for him as it’s a victory we needed. “Always he decided, what he said to me was that he wanted to stay at Chelsea,” Pochettino added “But it’s about him and the club.
I am not (worried about) these types of things, he has another year on his contract. But that’s a matter for him and the club.”
