Chelsea defend Conor Gallagher after the Premier League star’s Instagram was flooded with comments calling him racist, over a video clip appearing to show him ignoring a black mascot

Chelsea have condemned the ‘completely unacceptable’ abuse of Conor Gallagher following footage of the England international in the tunnel with a young mascot before the Burnley game.

Gallagher has been hounded on social media ever since because the captain accidentally blanked a high-five from the youngster, which led trolls to accuse the 24-year-old of racism.

That is despite the entire clip showing Gallagher greeting him beforehand and walking out of the tunnel alongside his companion, as Chelsea went on to draw 2-2 with Burnley at Stamford Bridge.

The London club have now released an angry statement in response to the abuse of Gallagher, writing: ‘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.

The young mascot raised his hand for a handshake from Gallagher but was initially ignored in a clip that was then widely circulated on social media

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

As Gallagher prepared to lead the team out at Stamford Bridge, the young mascot raised his hand hoping for a handshake.

But Gallagher appeared to ignore him and instead put his arm around another mascot standing alongside him in the tunnel.

Even though a later picture showed Gallagher with his arms around both mascots a few seconds after the original clip, his social media has been flooded with accusations he is ‘racist’. 

On one recent Instagram post showing Gallagher playing for England last week, comments included ‘the king of racism’, ‘no to racism’ and ‘black lives matter.’

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said at his pre-Manchester United press conference when asked about Gallagher: ‘That has upset me so much. Because no one wants to do something like this, with this intention.

‘When you play football and you are there and focusing to play and start the game, that sometimes can happen. People try to find things to create a mess and to abuse. 

Gallagher captained Chelsea during Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League game at Stamford Bridge

Mauricio Pochettino also sprung to the defence of Gallagher when speaking on Wednesday

‘Conor is a great, great kid and is always caring about everything. I hate that people feel free to abuse on social media.

‘To abuse the people is so easy. So easy. Who thinks the intention of Conor is to ignore a mascot? No one. Come on.’

Chelsea’s disappointing season continued in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with relegation candidates Burnley at Stamford Bridge.

The result left them a lowly 12th in the Premier League table ahead of Thursday night’s visit of United.

The Clarets twice replied to Cole Palmer goals despite being reduced to 10-men after 40 minutes.