Pochettino Condemns Gallagher Abuse After Incident With Mascot

A video widely shared on social media appeared to show Gallagher ignoring an attempted high-five from a young black mascot in the tunnel prior to the 2-2 draw with Burnley.

Gallagher walked out onto the pitch with the mascot but was widely condemned on his social media handles for the incident with the young boy.

But Chelsea have come out in support of Gallagher and maintain the video has been taken out of context.

In a statement, the Blues said: "Chelsea Football Club is aware of a video clip circulating on social media from Saturday's fixture against Burnley, which has been taken considerably out of context.

"The subsequent level of abuse and defamatory comments directed towards Conor Gallagher is completely unacceptable.

"We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome."

Speaking before Thursday's Premier League match against Manchester United, Pochettino said: "Conor is a great, great kid, always caring about everything.

"I hate the people who abuse on things like this. I think we need to stop this type of thing.

"For people today, it is so easy [to abuse], to give too much attention to the people who want to create this type of thing - to mess, insult and abuse. Please stop.

"How is it possible to believe Conor's intention is to ignore a mascot? Come on. It makes me very sad because I know Conor."

"It's [the abuse] upset me so much," added the Chelsea boss. 

"No-one wants to do something like this, with this intention. I think he has many videos and photography with the mascots.

"When you play football, you are focusing to play, to start the game.

"I think people try to find things to create a mess and to abuse the people.

"I know Conor. I can speak for the people I know. Come on, that was never was his intention."