On August 14, 2025, Tottenham Hotspur issued a powerful statement condemning the “abhorrent” racist abuse directed at their young forward Mathys Tel following his penalty miss in the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year-old France Under-21 international faced a torrent of vile online attacks after the 4-3 penalty shootout defeat, prompting outrage from the club and fans alike. The incident, reported by LBC and The Independent, has reignited discussions about racism in football and the need for stronger action.

Báo Anh bất ngờ chỉ trích Tottenham "tự bắn vào chân" trước PSG

The match, held at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, saw Tottenham surrender a 2-0 lead, with goals from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, before PSG’s late comeback forced penalties. Tel, who joined Spurs permanently from Bayern Munich for £30 million in June 2025, missed his spot-kick, alongside Van de Ven, allowing PSG to clinch the trophy. Post-match, Tel was targeted with racist comments on social media, leading Tottenham to declare, “We are disgusted at the racial abuse Mathys Tel has received,” vowing to work with authorities and platforms to identify perpetrators, per SpursOfficial on X.

MU hết cửa chiêu mộ Mathys Tel

The club praised Tel’s “bravery and courage” for stepping up, branding abusers “cowards hiding behind anonymous profiles.” Manager Thomas Frank echoed this, telling ESPN, “Mathys is a talent who showed guts.” Fans on X rallied behind Tel, with posts like, “We stand with you, Mathys!” from @SpursArmyTweets and #NoRoomForRacism trending. Others, however, criticized the lack of progress in tackling online hate, with @ChrisCowlin tweeting, “Social media platforms must do more.”

This is not an isolated incident. Football has grappled with racism, from recent abuse targeting England’s Bukayo Saka to historical cases like Raheem Sterling’s. Tottenham’s proactive stance, including cooperation with police, aligns with their past efforts, such as banning fans for discriminatory behavior, per The Independent. The Premier League and UEFA are under pressure to enhance measures, with calls for stricter account verification on platforms like X, as noted by Sportstar.

Tel, supported by teammates like Romero, remains focused, with Spurs planning increased security for players. The club’s statement, backed by fans and shared by outlets like LBC, underscores a united front against racism, but the fight continues as football demands accountability.