Everton FC condemns 'vile' racist abuse of Mason Holgate in statement

Everton Football Club has condemned the 'vile' racist abuse Mason Holgate has been subjected to on social media.

Holgate, who is on loan from Everton, shared some of the abuse he received on his Instagram account, following the Sheffield United vs Brighton game on Sunday, February 18.

He was sent off in the first half for a high challenge on Kaoru Mitoma, with the Blades going on to lose 5-0.

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Holgate wrote: "I can only apologise for letting my team-mates, club + fans down on the weekend & have done so this week personally. However, the last 48 hours have been difficult to take... the constant racist abuse across my social media... here are some of the messages.

"As a sport + society we need to do more and there needs to be consequences for Racism!"

He accompanied the post with a video, which showed some of the racist messages, which ended with a black screen, with white writing on it which said 'SAY NO TO RACISM'.

Following the abuse Everton Football Club has sent a message of support to Holgate.

In a statement Everton said: "Everton Football Club strongly condemns the racist and discriminatory abuse Mason Holgate has suffered.

"Such abuse is vile and will not and should not be tolerated. The Club offers Mason its full support and praises his actions for speaking out.

"We must all take a zero-tolerance stance by reporting such behaviour to social media platforms and the authorities. Racism has no place online, in our stadia or in our communities."

Sheffield United has also condemned the abuse.

Sheffield United said in a statement: