Premier League side Tottenham have condemned the attack on forward Mathys Tel following their defeat by Paris St-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on Thursday. The French forward was subject to racial abuse after missing the penalty against Champions League winners.
Tottenham Hotspur disgusted by racial abuse on Mathys Tel
Following the racial abuse, Tottenham released a statement which said, “We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night’s UEFA Super Cup 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."
The club added, “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 suffer Super Cup heartbreak
Tottenham, the Europa League winner, lost 3-4 in penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, with the match remaining tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Nuno Mendes converted the clinching spot kick in the shootout to complete a PSG comebackTel and Micky van de Ven were the two Spurs players to miss the penalties, while Vitinha missed the opening kick for PSG.
Earlier during regulation time Tottenham held a 2-0 lead untill the 85th minute. PSG goalkeeper Chevalier was unlucky in conceding Tottenham's opening goal in the 39th, tipping Joao Palhinha's shot onto the crossbar only for Van de Ven to show quick reactions and prod home.
He was to blame, though, for the second after failing to keep out a header from newly appointed Tottenham captain Cristian Romero in the 48th.
After half time Lee Kang-in gave PSG hope by reducing the deficit with a fierce shot into the bottom corner and fellow substitute Gonçalo Ramos grabbed an equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time to make it 2-2 at Stadio Friuli in Udine.