BREAKING: Tottenham Hotspur has strongly condemned the “cowards” who racially abused Mathys Tel following the team’s devastating loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on September 15, 2023. The 20-year-old French forward faced vile online harassment after failing to convert his penalty during the tense shootout, which ended 4-3 in favor of PSG after a 2-2 draw.
In a statement released just hours after the match, Tottenham expressed their disgust at the abuse directed towards Tel, emphasizing that he displayed “bravery and courage” by stepping up to take a penalty. The club’s official statement declared, “Those who abuse him are nothing but cowards – hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views.”
Tel, who joined Tottenham permanently from Bayern Munich during the off-season after a successful loan spell, was substituted into the match in the 79th minute, with Spurs leading 2-0. However, his penalty attempt was sent wide, contributing to the team’s heart-wrenching defeat.
Tottenham has pledged to collaborate with authorities and social media platforms to take “the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify.” The club concluded their statement with a message of solidarity: “We stand with you, Mathys.”
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of racism in sports, particularly in football, where players often face abuse online after high-pressure situations. The emotional toll on athletes like Tel cannot be overstated, as they endure public scrutiny and hate while representing their teams and communities.
The club’s commitment to addressing this issue comes at a crucial time, as discussions around online hate speech and accountability for social media companies continue to gain momentum globally. What will happen next remains to be seen, but fans and advocates alike are calling for immediate and decisive action against racism in football.
As this situation develops, Tottenham’s response will be closely watched by players, fans, and organizations dedicated to combating discrimination in sports. The club’s stance may set a precedent for how football clubs handle similar situations in the future, emphasizing that no player should be subjected to hate and abuse for their performance on the pitch.
