Cyrus Christie opens up on being subjected to racist abuse while playing for Ireland

"They wouldn't say it to your face."

Cyrus Christie has opened up about the vile racist abuse he has suffered following several Republic of Ireland games. The Fulham full-back was targeted on social media after scoring an own goal in Ireland's 5-1 defeat to Denmark in November which shattered Martin O'Neill's side's World Cup dream. Police investigated instances of racist abuse directed at the 25-year-old but the former Middlesbrough defender says he has experienced it on numerous occasions, including on previous occasions when he has turned out in green. "It happened in the four previous games as well, the Georgia and Serbia games," Christie said ahead of Ireland's friendly with Turkey. "It happened over the course of a couple of months. It's one of those, you don't speak out because nothing does happen.

"You don't really hear it on the terraces. You get the odd person, but it's more social media, that's where they get brave. They wouldn't say it to your face. When they're hiding amongst the crowd, that's when they get brave. "I've had worse in my time, I've had 10 times worse. It's one of those, it still happens in this day and age," he said. "Whether or not stuff gets done about it, whether or not it changes, who knows? It was one of those, I take it and move on.

"I've had a lot worse growing up from where I've come from and many more dangerous situations in my time. It was nothing to me." https://twitter.com/cyruschristie/status/975506228502777856 Christie admits that it is something he has been forced to endure his whole life and insists that he has moved on. Instead of dwelling on it, he has chosen – rather nobly – to focus on his football.

"The police were on, but whether something will get done or not, I don't know. That's just the way it is. A lot of the time when stuff like this happens, nothing really gets done. A lot of these people are hiding behind different profiles. "I've had a lot worse growing up, when I was in school, so for me it was water off a duck's back. I've moved on. I was more disappointed with the result than anything. "If that's what they want to resort to, they can, it's sticks and stones at the end of the day. I'm not going to be too hurt by it."

While Christie may have developed a thick skin over time, it does not excuse such horrid treatment. Any so-called supporter who taunts a footballer by referring to the colour of their skin needs to take a long, hard look at itself. For Irish fans to subject one of their own players to such treatment is deplorable, indefensible and simply has no place in football or any sport for that matter.