Anti-racism charity Kick It Out warns Black players may AVOID taking penalties after Mathys Tel is targeted with horrific online abuse following Tottenham's Super Cup defeat by PSG
Tel, 20, missed a decisive spot-kick for Tottenham in Wednesday's Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, leading to a 4-3 defeat for Spurs in the penalty shootout.
New Tottenham boss Thomas Frank looked destined to win silverware in what was his first competitive match in charge of the club after Micky van de Ven, who also fluffed his lines in the shootout, and Cristian Romero put the Premier League club 2-0 ahead against last season's Champions League winners.
But late goals from Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos inspired a dramatic late comeback from the French giants, who forced a penalty shootout and emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins.
Tottenham revealed on Thursday morning that Tel had been subjected to a vile amount of racist abuse on social media and called out the 'cowards' hiding behind anonymous profiles online.
'We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night's UEFA Super Cup defeat,' the north London club said in a statement.
'Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards - hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views.
'We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify. We stand with you, Mathys.'
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has since joined Tottenham in condemning the abhorrent abuse - and warned that Black players may end up avoiding penalty-taking duties as a result of racist trolls.
'If you're a Black player, it would be totally understandable to think, "Why would I want to take a penalty?" That's the state of the game right now, and the sad fact is, it's nothing new,' the organisation said in a statement.
'Players are routinely targeted with racism online and want action; we want action, too.
'Accountability from offenders and social media companies is a baseline, but it's not being met.
'Football bodies, authorities, and the regulator Ofcom, must come together to accelerate a plan that better protects players.
'Their welfare should always be paramount, and we stand with Mathys Tel and all those who have suffered this continuing, racist abuse.'
Last month, Lionesses star Jess Carter revealed she was stepping away from social media after being subjected to a wealth of abhorrent abuse online.
Her decision led to Sarina Wiegman's side announcing they would no longer take the knee before matches, admitting the gesture has now lost its meaning and purpose.
Carter admitted that she breathed a 'sigh of relief' after a white team-mate missed a penalty during England's triumphant Euro 2025 campaign.
The England defender told ITV: 'It's horrible to say but it's almost like a sigh of relief when other players that weren't black missed a penalty, because the racism that would have come with LJ (Lauren James) being the only one that missed would have been astronomical.
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