Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw Shatters Manchester City Scoring Record: Doubts About Her Playing for Jamaica
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw of the Reggae Girlz, etched her name in Manchester City Women’s history by becoming the club’s top scorer on Saturday. In a thrilling Barclays Women’s Super League encounter against Manchester United, Shaw’s goal not only contributed to City’s victory but also propelled her past Georgia Stanway as the team’s leading scorer.
However, the celebration of this milestone is clouded by brewing tensions with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).
During the match, Shaw demonstrated her exceptional skills by taking a pass from Jess Park, evading Manchester United’s defence, and confidently scoring City’s third goal of the afternoon. This was her 68th goal for Manchester City, a remarkable achievement since joining the club in the summer of 2021. Her 68th goal in just her 82nd appearance underscores her vital role and prolific scoring ability at City.
Watch match highlights below:
While Shaw’s record-breaking performance should have been a moment of unbridled joy, it coincided with escalating rumours of a rift between her, fellow Reggae Girl Rebecca Spencer, and the JFF. Just a week after the federation declared that they were on good terms with the players, the rumours of demand for an ‘apology’ from Shaw and Spencer following their candid interview on Sportsmax raises eyebrows.
The players had aired their grievances in late 2023 about unresolved financial issues and the federation’s alleged failure to pay members of the 2023 World Cup squad, contradicting JFF’s claims of having settled outstanding balances.
Notably, Leon Bailey of the men’s team recently announced a break from national duties following a suspension, highlighting ongoing issues within the federation. This incident is part of a broader narrative of tension between the JFF and key players from both the Reggae Girlz and Reggae Boyz teams.
The future participation of Shaw and Spencer in upcoming matches remains uncertain amidst these unresolved disputes. As the football community celebrates Shaw’s remarkable achievement, there’s a collective hope for reconciliation and resolution, ensuring that the focus remains on the sport and the players’ contributions to their teams and country.
The situation underscores the need for transparency, communication, and respect between football federations and athletes, ensuring that off-field disputes do not overshadow on-field triumphs.