Tottenham Condemn Racist Abuse Aimed at Mathys Tel After UEFA Super Cup Defeat

Tottenham Hotspur have issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the racist abuse directed at forward Mathys Tel on social media in the wake of their UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

Tel, 19, was one of two Spurs players to miss from the spot in the decisive penalty shoot-out, with Micky van de Ven also failing to convert. Tottenham had been on course to lift the trophy in Udine, Italy, leading 2-0 with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Van de Ven’s first-half strike and Cristian Romero’s second-half header had put Thomas Frank’s side in control, but late goals from PSG substitutes Lee Kang-in in the 84th minute and Gonçalo Ramos in the fifth minute of stoppage time forced the match into penalties.

The Champions League holders prevailed 4-3 in the shoot-out, claiming the Super Cup, but what had been a valiant Tottenham display was overshadowed by the vile abuse directed at Tel online.

In a statement, the club pledged to seek the “strongest possible action” against those responsible.

“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.”

The French forward has since received widespread support on social media, with many fans and fellow professionals condemning the racist messages.