Tottenham forward Mathys Tel has vowed that racist abuse directed at him online will not “bring him down” following Spurs’ defeat in the Super Cup.
The 20-year-old was subjected to abusive messages on social media after missing a penalty in the shootout, as Spurs lost 4-3 to PSG having surrendered a two-goal lead in normal time.
Tel, who joined Tottenham permanently from Bayern Munich this summer, was one of two players to miss from the spot after coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute.
Spurs issued a strong statement condemning the abuse, describing those responsible as “nothing but cowards” and insisting they were “disgusted” by what had taken place.
Breaking his silence on Instagram, Tel thanked supporters for their messages and made clear the abuse would not affect him.
“I was also disappointed about Wednesday night but racism has no place in our society. Every day is a learning curve, and every day is a lesson,” he wrote.
“I know where I come from, where I started and none of this will bring me down. With work and humility, respect reigns.”
Tel’s comments come amid wider concern about racism in football. Just days earlier, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was racially abused during his side’s Premier League opener at Liverpool. That game was temporarily halted in the first half after the player reported the incident to the referee.
Merseyside Police later confirmed that a 47-year-old man from Liverpool had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. He has since been conditionally bailed.
