Odion Ighalo revealed he has experienced racial abuse while playing in China and he will not stand for it again.
There’s no point pretending this isn’t a problem in the UK because it’s a worldwide problem. Take a look at America right now, for example.
On-loan Manchester United striker Ighalo has vowed to walk off the pitch if he is racially abused again and a referee takes no action against who is responsible, and we side with him on this stance no matter what…
He has been “called all sorts of names” during a game while playing for Shanghai Shenhua and you don’t need an explanation as to why that is so wrong.
This week the 30-year-old saw his loan deal at Old Trafford extended until January 2021 and has vowed not to stand for any further abuse.
“If it happens to me I would report it to the referee and see what they do, but if they don’t take action about it then I’m going to walk off because it should not be done to any player or anyone in the world,” Ighalo told Sky Sports News.
“In one game in China I got called all sorts of names and after the game, I didn’t shake his hand. I walked straight into the dressing room, I was angry, I reported it to the FA.
“I didn’t press forward with it, I just let it go because I’m just this kind of guy. I don’t like to drag issues out. But I don’t think it should be condoned in any country.”
Ighalo has called for education after the death of African-American George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis last week.
“Nobody should condone racism. We are all human. Despite the colour of our skin, we are all the same, we live in the same world, the same life.
“I don’t condone racism, but at the same time, I don’t condone riots.
“It didn’t start today, it’s not going to end today. It’s going to take time. We are hoping this situation can change the narrative and make it more limited. It’s going to reduce it to a minimum.
“We are fighting now so that for the next generation it will be cut off, finally. We have to start from the younger generation, educate them, let them see that all humans are the same. We should fight for humanity not colours.”
It’s a great boost for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to have Ighalo available for the remainder of the season and beyond. He gives United something different up front and the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood can learn from his experience.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp made promise to Manchester United target over private transfer chat
Want more United? Subscribe to Stretty News’ Patreon for bonus content. Also check out the Strettycast – #1 Manchester United podcast.
