David McGoldrick racially abused - 'Something needs to change' says Sheffield United

McGoldrick scored the first Premier League goals of his career when he found the net twice in the Blades' 3-0 Premier League win at home to Chelsea on Saturday.

The win, which put the side in a strong position to qualify for Europe even notwithstanding Monday's decision to overturn Manchester City's two-year European ban, was a day of great celebration for the Republic of Ireland striker.

But he has since reposted a disgusting Instagram post sent to him at the weekend which as well as being peppered with unacceptable racist language also contained the phrase that his “life defo doesn't matter!”

"As a club we will support David McGoldrick and will do all we can to find the perpetrator of this disgusting message,” said a statement from Sheffield United.

"We will work with the relevant authorities to ensure the person behind this post is brought to justice.

"This cannot continue. Something needs to change."

All Premier League and Championship footballers, backroom staff and match officials have been “taking a knee” at the start of every professional game played in England since the season resumed after the coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative is a response to the killing of George Floyd in May, adopting a protest stance which rose to prominence when quarterback Colin Kaepernick adopted it during the national anthem before NFL matches in 2016.

Floyd's death kicked off protests both sides of the Atlantic under the “Black Lives Matter” banner.

It was McGoldrick and Billy Sharp who proposed players take the knee before matches. Sheffield United and Aston Villa were the first teams to play in the resumed English season.

Players wore the slogan “Black Lives Matter” in place of their names during the first round of matches, and continue to wear it on their sleeves.

Racism has been an issue in English football for decades, but has come more to the surface this season in a number of shocking incidents.

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha was also subjected to horrendous racial abuse over social media before his game at Aston Villa on Sunday. West Midlands police quickly arrested a 12-year-old boy over the matter.

Despite his lack of goals, McGoldrick has been a key figure in the Blades' remarkable season, and a popular one both in the dressing room and on the terraces.

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