Manchester City Ladies star and anti-racism campaigner Toni Duggan has apologised after ‘blacking up’ for a fancy dress party.
Duggan is currently in Cyprus for an international tournament, posted a photo of herself dressed as Whoopi Goldberg’s character Sister Mary Clarence from the film Sister Act.
The 22-year-old Kick It Out ambassador has since apologised and removed the photo.
Shout out to England Women’s International Footballer Toni Duggan who blacked up for fancy dress last night pic.twitter.com/K8BIERMvF7
— Gareth David (@grthdvd) March 3, 2014
“I would like to apologise wholeheartedly to England, my club and anyone else that I may have offended,” she said in a statement.
“I am proud to be a ‘Next 20’ ambassador for Kick It Out and take this role very seriously for an organisation that does such good work.”
Duggan was named as a ‘Next 20’ ambassador back in her Everton days and has been a prominent anti-racism campaigner.
The England star visited Denton Community College just last week to raise awareness of the Kick It Out campaign in the local community.
Speaking of her visit, Paul Mortimer, Kick It Out’s Professional Player Engagement Manager, emphasised the important role Duggan played in promoting messages of equality and inclusion on behalf of the campaign.
Mortimer said: “Toni has both shown great enthusiasm for her role as a ‘Next 20’ ambassador and it has been fantastic to see them engaging with the local community,”
She joined Manchester City at the end of last year with her England team mates Steph Houghton and Jill Scott also joining ahead of the side’s first Women’s Super League 2014 debut.
The Liverpool-born midfielder has 15 caps for England, scoring eight times since making her debut against Croatia in 2012.
She was a part of the Three Lioness’ side that endured a dismal Women’s Euro 2013 tournament, crashing out in the group stage.
Main image courtesy of MCFCtv via YouTube, with thanks.
