Tottenham Hotspur forward Mathys Tel has said he will not be brought down by the racial abuse directed at him online after Spurs’ UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 20-year-old Frenchman, who missed a penalty during the shootout loss in Italy last Wednesday, was targeted with offensive messages. Spurs described the abuse as “disgusting” and reiterated their stance against racism.
“I was also disappointed about Wednesday night, but racism has no place in our society,” Tel wrote on social media. “I know where I come from, where I started, and none of this will bring me down. With work and humility, respect reigns.”
In a related incident, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo was also subjected to racist abuse following his team’s 4-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Friday. Police confirmed that a 47-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Semenyo. He has been conditionally bailed and banned from attending football matches.

