‘It won’t bring me down’ – Brennan Johnson reacts to Tottenham teammate’s message after abuse
Mathys Tel has sent a defiant message on social media after he was the subject of racist abuse in Tottenham’s UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Thomas Frank‘s side suffered a 4-3 defeat on penalties to European champions PSG after surrendering a two-goal lead in the final five minutes of normal time to draw 2-2, but that result was overshadowed.
Tel and Tottenham‘s opening goalscorer Micky van de Ven both missed their spot-kicks in the shoot-out, and the Frenchman was sent several messages of racial abuse on social media in the aftermath of this.
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett praised Tottenham’s swift response to the abuse received by Tel with their X post on 14 August, and urged Spurs to make police aware of the perpetrators as soon as possible.
Tel thanks Tottenham fans for response to racist abuse
Tottenham’s social media response to the “abhorrent” abuse directed in Tel’s direction was signed off with the message of “We stand with you, Mathys”, and the 20-year-old has address the issue himself.
Spurs signed Tel permanently this summer after paying £30million for the ex-Bayern Munich forward, and he also came off the bench in their 3-0 win over Burnley on the Premier League’s opening weekend.
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Almost week on from his missed penalty and the disgusting abuse he received, Tel posted on Instagram on 19 August with a message to Tottenham fans, thanking them for their support and well-wishes.
“Everyone, after the last a few days have passed, I wanted to thank you for all your messages of support! 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. I know where I come from, where I started and none of this will bring me down. With work and humility, respect reigns. Thank you all”.
Brennan Johnson sent a heartfelt response to his Tottenham team-mate, saying: “Love ya brother”.
Tottenham and Tel to bounce back from disgusting abuse
Football Insider Verdict
Tel and Kevin Danso are full-time Tottenham players this season after their respective loans from Bayern and Lens were made permanent, while Luka Vuskovic has also arrived 18 months after his initial signing.
Mohammed Kudus may have had an impressive debut against Burnley on Saturday as Spurs surged to a 3-0 win, but it could be Tel who takes up the mantle left behind by Son Heung-min in North London.