Arsenal secured a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening in a fiery derby, in which, Declan Rice was subject to disgusting abuse targeted at his partner, Lauren Fryer
A Tottenham Hotspur supporter attempted to taunt Declan Rice during Sunday's North London derby by showing a photograph of the player's partner whilst appearing to hurl abuse toward him. Tempers flared at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday evening, as Arsenal emerged 4-1 victors over their fierce rivals.
Whilst jeers and catcalls are commonplace in the charged atmosphere of a derby fixture, one Spurs supporter appeared to cross the line when he held up a photograph of Lauren Fryer towards Rice on his mobile.
In a Shutterstock photograph circulated on various social media platforms - which has subsequently been requested for removal [by the player/club] - an individual in the home section of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is visible leaning over the advertising boards with an image of Rice's partner displayed on his phone screen.
Rice, who was nearby, had his back turned away from the supporters as he made his way back towards the pitch. It follows Fryer taking steps to wipe her Instagram account in 2024 after enduring a wave of vile online trolling regarding her looks.
The appalling harassment of Fryer started in December 2023, when an anonymous social media profile told Rice that he "could do better," whilst others also persistently aimed digs at Fryer over her appearance. Consequently, Fryer took the decision to remove all of the photographs from her account.
With 105,000 followers on the platform, Fryer's account still contains no posts, whilst she is also absent from Rice's Instagram. In response to the online abuse in April 2024, Rice shared a heartfelt statement in support of his partner, saying: "She is the love of my life and I don't need an upgrade."
Fryer has also previously been defended by Dani Dyer, partner of West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, who said last year: "It was so hard for her, the trolling, as she doesn't put herself out there. I think it's harder when you are not in [the celebrity world] and you are being personally attacked. I found that hard. She is a really good mum, who keeps to herself. No one deserves to be criticised like that.
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"It was so cruel...We didn't speak about it a lot. What we did talk about is how she is so nice and so great and looks absolutely gorgeous. Plus, she's Dec's childhood sweetheart and you can see how much he adores her."
Rice and Fryer originally crossed paths at school before entering a relationship at the age of 17, and have remained inseparable ever since. The WAG, who originates from Chessington, has stood by Rice throughout his entire career - from his debut at West Ham right through to his outstanding recent displays with Arsenal.
They welcomed a son named Jude together in August 2022, and have maintained their family life predominantly away from the spotlight. Despite vile attempts to ridicule him, Rice proved crucial to a Gunners outfit who secured a 4-1 victory over their fierce rivals in Spurs on Sunday, completing the full 90 minutes in the heart of midfield.
Eberechi Eze broke the deadlock for Arsenal 32 minutes into proceedings, before Randal Kolo Muani restored parity immediately. Viktor Gyokeres then handed his team the advantage once more moments into the second period, before Kolo Muani believed he had rescued a point again.
However, the Frenchman's second effort was eventually disallowed due to a push on Gabriel in the build-up, maintaining the scoreline at 2-1 in Arsenal's favour. Eze grabbed his brace 64 minutes into the encounter, before Gyokeres sealed the contest emphatically in the game's closing stages to claim all three points in a commanding triumph.
Following the result, Arsenal extended their advantage over Manchester City at the Premier League summit to five points heading into their remaining 10 fixtures of the campaign. Next up for Mikel Arteta's outfit is a clash with Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, March 1.
With City possessing a crucial game in hand over Arsenal, the league leaders will not be granted any margin for mistakes as they aim to secure their first championship in over two decades come May.