
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw celebrated a triumphant return to the field by scoring two goals in her first start for Manchester City Women since stepping away from the team due to racial abuse she faced online.
The Jamaican forward, recognized as one of the top talents in women’s football, expressed her pride by performing the Black Power salute during City’s impressive 4-0 victory over Liverpool in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.
“It’s a significant moment, without a doubt,” said City manager Gareth Taylor. “Bunny takes great pride in her identity, and her background is incredibly meaningful to her.”
Shaw encountered online harassment following a league match against Arsenal on February 2. She made the decision to withdraw from the League Cup semifinal match against the same team just four days later, prior to making her comeback as a substitute in an FA Cup match on February 9.
Saturday’s match against Liverpool was not only a return to the starting lineup for Shaw, but she also remarked that it felt “really good to get back on the scoresheet after a challenging few days.”
During the game, Taylor mentioned that Shaw’s teammates provided strong support. “It’s wonderful for her to experience the affection from fans and everyone at the club,” he stated.
The Black Power salute represents a powerful historical gesture, initially made famous by American sprinters John Carlos and Tommie Smith during the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City to protest racial inequality.
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