After Gallagher unintentionally overlooked the black mascot in the Stamford Bridge tunnel, Chelsea denounced the “totally unacceptable” criticism directed at the England midfield player on social media, prompting a barrage of remarks labelling him a “racist.”Four points from a favorable schedule of games and safety… To get a taste of the big escape, listen to the podcast It’s All Kicking Off. Burnley

Paul Canoville, the first black player at Chelsea, has expressed regret to Conor Gallagher for his role in starting a social media outcry after the England player seemed to be ignoring a black mascot.

Following the global success of a brief video capturing the Chelsea captain inadvertently blanking the youngster in the Stamford Bridge tunnel, Gallagher’s Instagram account was deluged with comments labeling him racist.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Chelsea denounced the “completely unacceptable” treatment of Gallagher and claimed that the video “had been considerably taken out of context.”

Between 1981 until 1986, Canoville was a player for Chelsea, despite racist taunts from some members of the team’s fan base. He has served as an ambassador for the Foundation of Chelsea Football Club.

The Gallagher video was published by Canoville, 62, on X in a since-deleted post. This prompted accusations that he was’stirring up abuse’ against the England player.

Chelsea and England star Conor Gallagher was accused of being ‘racist’ after he accidentally ignored a handshake from a black mascot ahead of Saturday’s match with Burnley

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Paul Canoville, who was Chelsea’s first black player in the 1980s, has apologised for circulating the Gallagher mascot video, helping spark the social media pile-on

 

Canoville acknowledged that he was ‘too hasty to post’ his since-deleted social media post.

On Wednesday, he sent a letter of apology to Conor and all the blue boys and girls. I posted this too soon, darling. As you are aware, I have a strong belief in equality for everybody. With much love.

The kid mascot lifted his hand in the hopes of shaking hands with Gallagher as he was ready to lead the players out for Saturday’s Premier League home match against Burnley.

However, Gallagher seemed to dismiss him, wrapping his arm around a different white mascot that was waiting for him in the tunnel.

Gallagher has been the target of numerous accusations on social media that he is “racist,” despite the fact that a subsequent photo showed him wrapping his arms around both mascots just moments after the initial video.

Reactions to a recent Instagram photo of Gallagher playing for England last week included calls for black lives to be prioritized, references to “the king of racism,” and “no to racism.”

‘Chelsea Football Club is aware of a video footage circulating on social media from Saturday’s encounter against Burnley, which has been greatly taken out of context,’ the London club said in an enraged statement on Wednesday in response to the abuse of Gallagher.

“It is totally intolerable the amount of abuse and slander that Conor Gallagher has received since then.”

“We take great pride in being a welcoming, diverse club that welcomes people of all identities, cultures, and communities.”

Chelsea condemned the ‘completely unacceptable’ abuse of Gallagher in a strong statement

Gallagher captained Chelsea during Saturday’s Premier League game at Stamford Bridge

When speaking on Wednesday, Mauricio Pochettino also immediately jumped to Gallagher’s defense.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s game against Manchester United, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino backed Gallagher as well, saying, “That has upset me so much.” For nobody desires to act in this manner or with this goal.

“It can occasionally happen when you play football and are there and focused to play and start the game.” People look for objects to misuse and to make a mess of.

Conor is a wonderful child who genuinely cares about everything. I detest the fact that abuse on social media is tolerated.

It is so simple to mistreat people. So simple. Who believes that Conor wants to ignore the team mascot? Nobody. Come on.

After sharing the video, Canoville, who played 103 times for Chelsea and assisted them in winning promotion to the First Division in 1984, encountered criticism of his own.

‘Isn’t Canners meant to be a club ambassador?’ asked one X user. If he was worried about this, why wouldn’t he deal with it internally? Instead of releasing a video to incite animosity towards Conor, who evidently had no intention of failing to give the child a high five,

Canoville endured horrendous racist abuse himself – even from Chelsea fans – during his time playing for the club in the 1980s

Between 1981 and 1986, the winger made 103 appearances for Chelsea, and in 1984, he contributed to their promotion to the First Division.

“Are you trying to imply something with your message here, Paul?” exclaimed another. Because other videos I’ve seen include Conor putting his arm around the youngster. You haven’t simply aired Conor for refusing to shake hands, surely?

To Canoville’s initial post, another response said, “Nothing is going on!!!!” BTW, Sterling acted in the same way! What a shoddy move, and it’s also fueling trolls for a guy who keeps getting harassed! This is so disappointing!