Tottenham Hotspur's young striker Mathys Tel has become the latest victim of online racial abuse after missing a decisive penalty in the UEFA Super Cup. The 20-year-old, who joined Spurs from Bayern Munich last summer, faced a torrent of racist slurs on social media following the high-pressure shootout.
Incident Sparks Widespread Condemnation
The abuse occurred after Tel's spot-kick was saved during the penalty shootout against Sevilla, ultimately costing Tottenham the trophy. Within minutes of the miss, racist comments began flooding the player's social media accounts.
A Tottenham spokesperson stated: "We are disgusted by the racist abuse directed at Mathys Tel. There is no place for this in football or society. The club is working with authorities to identify those responsible."
Football Community Rallies Behind Tel
The incident has drawn strong reactions from across the football world:
- Professional Footballers' Association called for stricter social media regulation
- Former players shared messages of support using #StandWithMathys
- Anti-racism organizations highlighted the ongoing problem in football
Growing Problem in Modern Football
This incident marks the third high-profile case of racial abuse against Premier League players this season. Experts point to the ease of anonymous social media accounts as a major factor enabling such behavior.
Sports psychologist Dr. Emma Green commented: "The psychological impact on young players facing this abuse can be devastating. We're seeing talented athletes consider leaving social media altogether."
Tottenham has confirmed they will provide full support to Tel, including counseling services, as police investigate the abusive messages.
