Tottenham Hotspur has condemned the racial abuse aimed at forward Mathys Tel on social media following their dramatic UEFA Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
The match ended 4-3 on penalties after Spurs, who had led 2-0 late in the game, allowed PSG to equalize in the 94th minute. Tel, 20, came on as a substitute in the 79th minute and missed a spot-kick in the shootout, while teammate Micky van de Ven also failed to convert.
PSG’s Nuno Mendes scored the decisive penalty to secure the win.
In a statement, Tottenham praised Tel’s bravery in stepping forward for his penalty and described those sending abusive messages as “cowards hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles.”
The club emphasized its commitment to working with authorities and social media platforms to take action against identified offenders. “We stand with you, Mathys,” the statement read.
Tel joined Spurs permanently in June for around £30 million after a loan spell earlier this year. He made 20 appearances last season, scoring three goals, and was an unused substitute in Tottenham’s Europa League final victory over Manchester United.
The club’s statement comes amid growing concerns over online abuse in sports. England defender Jess Carter recently revealed she had been targeted with racist messages during Euro 2025, leading the Lionesses to halt the pre-match anti-racism gesture of taking a knee.
Tennis players, including Britain’s Katie Boulter, have also demanded stronger action against dangerous online abuse.
Tottenham’s response underscores the ongoing fight against racism in football and the need for stronger measures to protect players from online harassment.
Written By Rodney Mbua
