Chelsea Women's Karen Carney says abuse received on social media is 'abhorrent' and 'very upsetting'
Friday 19 October 2018 19:16, UK
Chelsea Women captain Karen Carney says the abuse she and her team-mates have received this week on social media is "abhorrent, totally unacceptable and very upsetting".
The FA on Thursday called on the police and social media companies to help shut down online abuse after Carney was subjected to sickening threats via Instagram.
Chelsea men's head coach Maurizio Sarri joined England Women's boss Phil Neville and the Football Association in condemning the "disgusting" abuse directed towards the winger.
Carney released a statement on social media on Friday where she thanked fans and the media for their support, and Chelsea and the FA for reporting the abuse to the police and Instagram.
It read: "I would like to take a moment to address the vile messages aimed at myself and my team-mates on social media this week.
"This kind of abuse is abhorrent, totally unacceptable and very upsetting. It was swiftly reported by the club as is standard practice. I now trust it will be dealt with by the correct authorities to ensure this doesn't happen again to either myself or anyone else.
"I would like to thank all those who have offered messages of support, including the fans, media and others within the game.
"I'd also like to thank Chelsea and the FA who were swift to report those responsible to both Instagram and the police.
"I'd now like to concentrate on preparing for our game against Birmingham on Sunday."
Carney received the abuse during Wednesday night's 1-0 Women's Champions League win over Fiorentina, where she scored the decisive penalty.
It was Neville who highlighted the abuse 133-cap international Carney had received, sharing an Instagram post which wished "cancer, leukaemia and rape" on her.
He shared a further post on Friday directed towards an unnamed England Women international, which included a rape threat and a follow-up message suggesting it was "headline" grabbing.
Instagram removed the account responsible for the first messages as the company does not "tolerate threatening or abusive behaviour".
