Swansea City 'appalled' at racist abuse levelled at Yan Dhanda after FA Cup match loss to Manchester City

Yan Dhanda has played for Swansea City since 2018. Credit: PA Images

Swansea City have condemned the racist abuse sent to midfielder Yan Dhanda on social media following the side's FA Cup loss to Manchester City.

A statement from the Swansea club said the side were "appalled and saddened" by what had happened. Manchester City also denounced the behaviour and said they would support a police investigation into the incident.

The abuse of Dhanda on Twitter comes after Instagram announced new measures to tackle online incidents.

Several other prominent football players, including Marcus Rashford, have also reported receiving racist abuse on social media in the past fortnight.

The Swans lost 3 - 1 to Manchester City at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Credit: PA Images

After Wednesday's match, Swansea City said in a statement that it "is appalled and saddened by racist abuse received by Yan Dhanda via social media."

The statement continues: "As a club, we pride ourselves on working with the community and our supporters, as well as the EFL and the FA, on all anti-racism and anti-discriminatory campaigns because it has no place in society.

"Swansea City condemns racism and abuse of all kinds, and we urge social media companies to go above and beyond to stamp out this abhorrent level of behaviour that continues to tarnish football and society.

"An official report has been made with South Wales Police and the club will assist them in their investigation.

"Yan has our unwavering support in this matter as we and the relevant authorities strive to eradicate this mindless behaviour."

Dhanda wrote on Twitter: "How can this STILL be happening in 2021? I'm so proud of who I am and representing Asians. More has to be done!#NOTORACISM".

Opponents Manchester City wrote on Twitter: "Racism has no place in sport, or society. Manchester City FC are appalled to hear of the alleged racist abuse of a Swansea player.

"We will be supporting Swansea City and South Wales Police in their investigation of this matter, and to establish whether there was a Manchester City fan involved."

It is the latest in a long list of recent incidents of footballers receiving abuse on social media.

Manchester United players Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Axel Tuanzebe and Lauren James are among those to have been subjected to racism on social media in the last fortnight alone.

Instagram does not use technology to proactively detect content within private messages but it has announced new measures, including removing abusive accounts, in a bid to reduce the abuse people get in direct messages.