Juan Mata Speaks Out Against Cowardly Social Media Users Following Racial Abuse of Paul Pogba

Juan Mata has backed his teammate Paulo Pogba after the Frenchman was subjected to racist abuse online following his penalty miss in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Wolves, insisting more must be done to punish those guilty.

With the scores level at Molineux, Pogba had the chance to put his side in front from the spot, only to be denied by a fine Rui Patricio save. It sparked disgraceful abuse from some, supposed, sections of the Red Devils' fanbase.

Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford are just a few of the United players who have spoken out in support of Pogba, along with criticising social media platforms for allowing it to happen, and now Mata has weighed in with his thoughts by classing the guilty individuals as 'cowardly'.

"It's not something we should be speaking about, because it should have been eradicated a long time ago," Mata told ESPN.

"That's one of the things about social media. It's fantastic to connect people if you use it for the right things. But it also gives a chance for so many people to let go of their frustrations towards other people and with no problems because there are so many fake accounts. There's no identity. Then you can say whatever you want and you are not punished.

"It's a problem. Unfortunately some people do that and it needs to stop. It's cowardly to do it that way because no one can see you. It's not nice."

With the draw against Wolves signalling an upturn in form for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men, having lost on their last two visits to the midlands, the incident marred an otherwise positive performance.

Unfortunately, it isn't even the first time such abuse has occurred this month. Following Tammy Abraham's penalty miss against Liverpool in Chelsea's UEFA Super Cup penalty shootout defeat, the English forward was also subjected to racist taunting on social media, with the club stating they will take the 'strongest possible action' against those responsible.

Source : 90min