Tottenham 'disgusted' by online racist abuse aimed towards forward Mathys Tel

 

Tottenham Hotspur have issued a strong statement condemning the racial abuse directed at forward Mathys Tel following their UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year-old French player was one of two Spurs players to miss a penalty in the decisive shootout after the match ended 2-2 in Udine, Italy. Tottenham had led 2-0 but were pegged back late by PSG, who eventually won 4-3 on penalties.

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In their statement, the club described the abuse as “abhorrent” and expressed support for Tel, who joined Spurs permanently in June after a loan spell from Bayern Munich. They praised his courage for stepping up in such a high-pressure moment, saying those responsible for the abuse were “cowards” hiding behind anonymity online.

The club confirmed they would work closely with authorities and social media platforms to identify perpetrators and take the strongest action possible. Tottenham also reaffirmed their commitment to fighting all forms of discrimination and made it clear they fully stand with Tel. The incident comes as another reminder of the ongoing battle against racism in football and the continued calls for accountability on social media platforms.

Mathys Tel, who had impressed during his four-month loan at Spurs before securing a permanent transfer from Bayern Munich, was handed the responsibility of taking one of Tottenham’s penalties in the Super Cup final. Despite missing his spot-kick, the club emphasised that the outcome of the shootout should not overshadow his talent, bravery, and contribution to the team.

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Tottenham’s response reflects the growing frustration within football about the persistence of online racist abuse toward players, particularly in moments of high-profile disappointment. The club stressed that such behaviour has no place in sport or society, urging for stronger regulations and more decisive intervention from social media companies.

Tel himself has yet to comment publicly on the abuse, but he has received widespread backing from teammates, fans, and anti-racism groups. The Professional Footballers’ Association is also expected to support any investigations.

The UEFA Super Cup defeat was a painful one for Spurs, who had been in control for much of the match before conceding twice in the final minutes. However, the post-match focus quickly shifted from football to the unacceptable abuse aimed at one of their young stars. Tottenham have pledged to ensure Tel receives full support as investigations continue.