Black players may look to avoid penalties after abuse of Tel: Charity
London
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out says players may think twice about taking penalties in future after Tottenham's Mathys Tel received online racist abuse.
France Under-21 international Tel is the latest player to be targeted on social media after he missed a spot kick in Wednesday night's UEFA Supercup penalty shoot-out defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Premier League club lost the shoot-out 4-3 after they had surrendered a late 2-0 lead in Italy to draw 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Tottenham said they were 'disgusted' by the abuse directed at Tel and Kick It Out claim social media companies are still not doing enough to combat online racism.
A Kick It Out statement read: '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.
'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.' Tottenham, who initially signed Tel on loan from Bayern Munich in January before making the move permanent in June, said the player had shown 'bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty' .
The club said in a statement: 'We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night's UEFA Supercup defeat.
'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.'
Tottenham led 2-0 until the 85th minute at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, through goals from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero before late efforts from Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos hauled PSG level.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
21 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Liverpool avoid late Bournemouth scare to win Premier League opener
Liverpool talisman Mo Salah and fellow forward Federico Chiesa struck late goals as the Premier League champions began the defence of their title by beating Bournemouth 4-2 in a thriller on the opening night of the season at Anfield. On a bittersweet Friday evening charged with emotion after the July death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, newcomer Hugo Ekitike bagged a goal on his league debut to put the hosts ahead after 37 minutes, and Cody Gakpo doubled the lead in the 49th. But Antoine Semenyo, who was the target of racist abuse in the first half that led to a pause in the game, pulled one back for the visitors in the 64th minute and completed a double 12 minutes later to rock Liverpool and shock the home fans. However, substitute Chiesa sent the Liverpool faithful away happy with an 88th-minute strike after goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic swatted away a ball into the box by Salah, who scored himself deep into added time to wrap up the three points. Salah chased the ball past the defence before cutting inside and firing into the bottom corner with a goal that put the Egypt international joint-fourth with Andy Cole on the all-time Premier League scorers' list with 187. An emotional Salah pointed to the heavens and flapped two hands to mimic Jota's shark goal celebration. He headed for The Kop stand after the final whistle and wiped away tears while applauding the fans who were singing Jota's song to the tune of Bad Moon Rising. The night started with an emotional minute's silence for Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car crash. Fans fought back tears as they sang You'll Never Walk Alone. Ekitike, who has joined from Eintracht Frankfurt, was the most impressive of manager Arne Slot's close-season signings in a spending spree topping 300 million pounds ($406.53m). 'Obviously, I think it was a good performance, I could do better,' said Ekitike, who held up two fingers in one hand, and made a zero with the other after his goal, a tribute to Liverpool's Jota, who wore number 20. 'But the most important thing was winning, the mentality we showed. Obviously, we wanted to win tonight for the people who came and for Diogo,' added the 23-year-old forward. The game was halted for several minutes after Bournemouth's Ghana international Semenyo reported the racist abuse. 'It's totally unacceptable,' Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said. 'Kind of in shock to be honest that it happened. In this day and age, it shouldn't be happening. 'I don't know how Ant's played on to be honest and come up with those goals … Something has to be done. We'll support him in there and hopefully, he'll be OK.'
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
LIVE: Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Defending champions Liverpool entertain Bournemouth in the first match of the new English Premier League season. The match at Anfield in Liverpool kicks off at 8pm (19:00 GMT).
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
Liverpool target Isak ‘controls' his Newcastle future
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe admits striker Alexander Isak has control of his future with the club as Liverpool remain interested in signing the Sweden forward. Isak will not be involved in Newcastle's Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday after reportedly telling the club he wants to leave St James' Park. The 25-year-old was the subject of a rejected 110-million-pound ($149m) bid this month from Premier League champions Liverpool, who begin their title defence against Bournemouth on Friday. Howe is desperate to keep Isak, who helped the Magpies end their 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup final against Liverpool last season while also firing them to Champions League qualification. Asked if he envisioned Isak playing for Newcastle before the end of the summer transfer window, Howe told reporters on Friday: 'As I sit here now, I don't know that. Alex will control that.' Isak is reportedly refusing to train or play in an effort to force his way out of the club he joined from Real Sociedad in 2022. He did not take part in Newcastle's preseason tour, training alone at his former club Sociedad instead. Isak has three years remaining on his Newcastle contract, and it is understood he will be fined – the maximum penalty for a single offence is two weeks wages – for missing a competitive match this weekend. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hinted the Reds will submit a second offer – their initial bid was 40 million pounds ($54m) shy of Newcastle's valuation – but Howe is confident there is a way back for the player should no deal be struck. 'Yes, I believe there is, but of course, discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen,' he said. 'At the moment, I would [expect him to stay], but I've got no change of feeling throughout the summer. 'It's not in my hands, but he's contracted to us, so that's why I say that.' Isak's stance has angered Newcastle fans, and Howe hopes the striker realises how important the club has been in his development. 'He's a highly intelligent person, and he knows he wouldn't have the success here without everybody connected with Newcastle,' he said. 'This is a different moment for him and us, and we're working through that together.' Howe said he is also focused on strengthening Newcastle's squad, regardless of Isak's transfer status. Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is close to completing a move to Tyneside while Brentford forward Yoane Wissa is a target for Howe. 'Yes, we've been active for a few, and for whatever reason, they haven't happened. I can't deny that, but we're still actively looking, and I still believe that there is someone there that can fit our requirements,' said Howe, who failed in approaches for Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro.
