The Independent

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jump to content

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Swipe for next article

Tottenham defender receives racist abuse after Brighton draw

Andy Sims

Sunday 19 April 2026 11:44 BST

Tottenham Hotspur has strongly condemned the "vile, dehumanising racism" aimed at defender Kevin Danso on social media.

The abuse followed Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brighton, where Danso was implicated in the stoppage-time equaliser that left Spurs in the Premier League relegation zone.

The club has reported the racist abuse to the Metropolitan Police and other relevant authorities, pledging to pursue the strongest possible action against perpetrators.

Tottenham affirmed their "complete and unconditional support" for Danso, saying that performance on the pitch can never excuse or explain racist abuse.

This incident occurred during the Premier League’s dedicated "No Room For Racism" weekend and follows several other recent cases of racist abuse targeting players in English football.

Tottenham Hotspur has issued a strong condemnation of the “vile, dehumanising racism” aimed at defender Kevin Danso, which followed Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton.

The abuse surfaced after Danso was implicated in the concession of Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time equaliser, a result that left Spurs languishing in the Premier League relegation zone.

The club has confirmed that it has reported the racist abuse, received via social media, to the police.

In a statement, Tottenham said that the incidents occurred during the Premier League’s dedicated “No Room For Racism” weekend.

“Since yesterday’s fixture against Brighton... Kevin Danso has been, and continues to be, subject to significant and abhorrent racist abuse on social media,” the club said.

They labelled such behaviour as “without doubt a criminal offence” and said that it “will not be tolerated”.

Tottenham are pursuing “immediate action”, reporting all identified content to the Metropolitan Police, as well as to the appropriate authorities in the countries where perpetrators reside, and to the relevant social media platforms.

The club have pledged to “push for the strongest possible action against each and every person we identify”.

They also affirmed their “complete and unconditional support” for Danso, stating: “No one at this club will ever stand alone in the face of this.

“Nothing about form or league position can ever excuse or explain racist abuse. There is no connection between performance on the pitch and the right to target a player with discrimination. Criticism of performances is part of the game. Racism is not.”

In February, an “appalling weekend” rocked English football after four players were subjected to racist abuse on their social media accounts following recent matches.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri both shared images of racist messages they privately received on Instagram after their teams’ 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare also displayed racially aggravated messages sent to him on Instagram following a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace, a game in which he had a penalty saved.

And last week, Sunderland condemned racist abuse directed towards Brian Brobbey on social media and offered the striker their full support.

Roberto De Zerbi issued a rallying cry to his deflated Tottenham players and insisted they can win their last five Premier League games this season to avoid a catastrophic relegation.

Spurs will spend another week in the bottom three after they suffered heartbreak in a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton when Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time leveller denied them a first league win of 2026.

A thunderbolt by Xavi Simons after 77 minutes sent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into pandemonium, but the north London club’s winless league run stands at 15 matches after late drama in N17 followed Pedro Porro’s opener being cancelled out by a sumptuous Kaoru Mitoma volley.

Even though Spurs’ players collapsed at full-time, De Zerbi claimed to be more confident of survival after he picked up the first point of his reign against old club Brighton.

West Ham are a point ahead of Tottenham in 17th ahead of Monday’s trip to Crystal Palace, but De Zerbi backed his squad to win their remaining matches with Wolves, Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea and Everton to avoid a first relegation since 1977.

“I always thought and believed in the quality of the players,” De Zerbi insisted.

“They played a good game, I think we can play better than today with much more quality and more calm, especially when we are in possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude and this mentality.

“It is not finished yet. We have another five games. It is tough. Every one of us knows it is a tough moment, it is a difficult situation, but we have another five games and 15 points.

“This team is able to win five games in a row. Now it is difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row.

“Not to be arrogant because I am not arrogant, especially now, but we have the quality enough to fight and win games in a row.”

When De Zerbi was asked how he would lift his players, the Italian fired a warning to any member of the club down in the dumps.

De Zerbi added: “They have to be stronger and be focused longer and come to (the) training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile otherwise they go home.

“I have no time to see negative people or to see sad players or (a) sad assistant. No, we are lucky because we are working at a big club, a big stadium, we are working in Premier League and we have the quality, the right quality to win the game – so we have to be positive. I don’t like the people who cry and who think in (a) negative way.”

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler echoed the sentiments of De Zerbi and backed Spurs to stay up.

“Yeah, definitely. I also could say before the game. What they have is individual quality. I think they have unbelievable players in their squad,” Hurzeler reflected.

“They have players in their frontline that can make a difference. They have enough quality in their squad to make it happen.”

Brighton are ninth and a point behind seventh-placed Brentford in the battle for European qualification.

“In the end it’s a point and a point we will take. It’s a point we can make really positive and that’s our responsibility,” Hurzeler said.

Tottenham remain in the Premier League relegation zone after they were stunned by a stoppage-time leveller from Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter during a pulsating 2-2 draw in Roberto De Zerbi’s home debut.

Spurs looked set to end a 15-match winless in the top-flight when Xavi Simons produced a superb 77th-minute strike to spark wild celebrations.

Xavi’s fine effort followed up his assist for Pedro Porro’s opener after 39 minutes, which was cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma in first-half stoppage-time.

However, scenes of jubilation turned to disbelief when Kevin Danso lost possession in the fifth minute of time added on and Rutter curled home to ensure the spoils were shared.

It denied De Zerbi’s team a first victory in charge and means Tottenham will stay in the bottom three for another week with only five matches left to prevent a first relegation since 1977.

Spurs had spent a whole week in the relegation zone, but there was an air of positivity in N17 with James Maddison surprisingly named in the matchday squad for the first time this season and Xavi back in the starting line-up.

A sea of white flags welcomed the teams before De Zerbi’s pleasantries with his old players was followed by multiple warnings by the fourth official Ben Toner for walking onto the pitch.

Clear-cut action was limited, but Tottenham had penalty appeals waved away in the 10th-minute after Destiny Udogie tangled with Brighton attacker Yankuba Minteh.

Diego Gomez limped off for the visitors soon after, before Xavi went close with a low effort deflected wide.

Brighton enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure afterwards and Spurs stand-in captain Micky van de Ven smashed a clearance against the post to deny Danny Welbeck after a dangerous Jack Hinshelwood knockdown, before Antonin Kinsky saved Welbeck’s header.

After Tottenham survived, De Zerbi watched the first goal of his era come from Porro. Xavi was central to it with a wonderful clipped cross and Porro stole in to head over Bart Verbruggen.

Two minutes later and it should have been 2-0 when Dominic Solanke passed into Xavi, who cut inside Ferdi Kadioglu but curled the ball against the post from eight yards and Porro’s follow-up was tipped over by Verbruggen.

It would prove costly when Mitoma lashed home on the volley in supreme fashion from an equally impressive Pascal Gross cross.

Hinshelwood headed wide before half-time and Brighton picked up where they left off after the break with Danso forced to clear ahead of Welbeck and then block an effort by Mitoma.

De Zerbi received a caution soon after for going down the touchline again before a raft of substitutes sparked a grand finale.

Joao Palhinha went close after his introduction before Lucas Bergvall marked his entrance with a key role in Xavi’s goal.

Bergvall won back possession from Jan Paul van Hecke and played in Xavi, who made space against Mats Wieffer and curled sumptuously beyond Verbruggen.

Wild scenes in front of the South Stand were followed by a bout of cramp for Xavi, before the late twist in the tale.

Danso wanted too long on the ball inside the area and Van Hecke stole in and teed up Rutter to break Tottenham hearts and prevent the hosts moving out of the bottom three.

Tottenham host Brighton this afternoon knowing that they need to win if they stand any chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

It has been a nightmare season for Spurs and could end in horrifying fashion if they cannot find a way to end their win drought and move up the table. They are currently sat 18th, inside the relegation zone, but have not won a league match since a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the end of December.

Roberto de Zerbi has been brought in to be bring stability to the club after both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor were sacked from the head coach role but his tenure started with a loss to Sunderland after Nordi Mukiele’s second half strike.

Spurs are also up against a strong team in Brighton who entered the weekend in ninth just two points behind sixth placed Chelsea. Sixth is likely to secure European football next year so the Seagulls still have it all to play for and will want to build on their run of victories when they head to London today.

Is Tottenham v Brighton on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch Premier League fixture  The Independent

Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury, a significant blow for manager Roberto De Zerbi as his side battles to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Romero sustained the injury during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, De Zerbi’s first match in charge, meaning the defender will miss the final six fixtures of what has been a challenging campaign for the north London club. Tottenham currently sit in the relegation zone, in 18th place.

In an effort to foster team cohesion and boost morale ahead of a critical final stretch, De Zerbi took his squad for a meal in Mayfair this week, prior to Saturday’s home clash against his former club, Brighton.

"Yes, I don’t know if we win the game for dinner. I know we eat very well. The food was amazing and if we win, I am ready to pay every week for one dinner," De Zerbi remarked with a smile.

He stressed the importance of unity, adding: "We have to build and find in these last weeks the best relationship we can find, and I want to see on the pitch players helping their team-mates and pushing everybody for one target and to achieve our big, big target for us. If we don’t achieve our target, everybody will lose something in their career."

Despite the club’s precarious position, De Zerbi remains optimistic about their chances of survival.

"I am positive, I am ready to fight and I believe to keep Premier League (status). I believe in my words that I said last week. The focus is to win one game," he stated.

"Yes, I think it is crucial to win a game not just for the table. Of course one part of the table for sure, but we have to feel again what is nice to win a game and what it can do. I have no doubts about the quality of the players."

While De Zerbi did not confirm who would inherit the captain’s armband, he did provide an update on other key players.

Rodrigo Bentancur is available for Saturday’s crucial fixture after a three-month absence due to a hamstring injury, and Yves Bissouma is "100 per cent fit" after being an unused substitute against Sunderland. However, first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remains sidelined following minor hernia surgery last month.

"Bentancur is available to play. I don’t know if to start or not. Bissouma is available 100 per cent. Vicario, no," De Zerbi explained.

Expressing sympathy for his injured captain, he added: "Romero, I am really sorry for him and his injury. Romero first of all loves Tottenham and the people have to know he is suffering for this injury and because he cant play any more for us this season, but he’s a great captain for us.

“We have to be any way positive. We have Radu Dragusin and Kevin, they are able to play and able to play well. We can win any way and we want to win any way."

James Maddison, who suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in pre-season, participated in first-team training this week, but De Zerbi remained cautious about his immediate return.

"Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball, but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch," the Italian said. "I don’t know yet. I don’t want to push too much because we lost (Mohammed) Kudus in this way."

Tottenham Hotspur are facing an uphill battle for Premier League survival, with pundit Gary Neville branding their squad a "concoction of misfits" with "a set of ingredients that don’t go together".

Spurs languish in 18th place, two points adrift of safety after failing to win a single league game in 2026.

Tottenham’s precarious position was underscored by results elsewhere: Leeds United’s 2-1 win over 10-man Manchester United on Monday night moved them six points clear. West Ham thumped Wolves 4-0 on Friday, hauling themselves out of the bottom three, while Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Aston Villa on Sunday.

These outcomes contrasted sharply with Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game on Sunday.

Former United and England defender Neville believes Leeds’ performance at Old Trafford showed how far Spurs are from a team capable of securing top-flight survival.

"In the first half, they (Leeds) were absolutely wonderful. That is a performance I don’t think Tottenham are capable of – and that is the scary thing for Tottenham," Neville said on his podcast for Sky Sports.

He continued: "Not the six points by the way that Leeds have gone clear of them, but the actual performance levels they put in. They (Tottenham) are nowhere near that."

Neville added: "You watch Spurs against Sunderland and it is a set of ingredients that don’t go together, a concoction of misfits, yet you watch Leeds and there is a balance and a flow."

Adding to Tottenham’s mounting problems is the likely absence of captain Cristian Romero. The Argentina defender fought back tears as he hobbled off at the Stadium of Light, injured in a collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Reports suggest Romero – who was pictured on social media on Sunday with a bandaged right knee – is set to miss the rest of the season.

Manager De Zerbi acknowledged he is a "crucial player for us" and said the injury needed proper assessment. Tottenham have yet to comment on the timescale for his recovery.

Tottenham – two points below West Ham – must now regroup for Saturday’s visit of Brighton, when they are expected to be without their influential captain.

The Premier League relegation battle looks set to go right down to the wire with four clubs seemingly battling to avoid the one remaining spot in the drop zone.

Perhaps Wolves or Burnley could still pull off the greatest of escapes but, in all likelihood, they will crash into the Championship and then be joined by one of Tottenham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.

Relegation for a Spurs side that won the Europa League last season, reached the Champions League knockout stage this term and has spent just one season outside the top flight since 1950 would go down as one of the biggest shocks in Premier League history. Roberto De Zerbi is now the man tasked with engineering an escape and avoiding disasters, but things have not started well as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.

Friday night saw the north Londoners drop into the relegation zone for the first time after West Ham thumped Wolves 4-0 to leapfrog their bitter rivals into 17th. Forest and Leeds are just above the Hammers but with six or seven games remaining for each, there will be plenty of twists and turns still to come.

Here’s how the crucial relegation run-in is shaping up.

Position: 15th | Played: 31 | Points: 33 | GD: -11

Remaining fixtures:

Where to pick up points? The fixtures have fallen fairly kindly for Leeds and the chances are there for them to secure Premier League football next season. Three wins would definitely be enough to survive and two may well do it, so they’ll be eyeing up home fixtures against the current bottom two – Wolves and Burnley – to get over the line. Away games against relegation rivals Tottenham and West Ham also look like prime opportunities to get results on the board.

Tricky contests? Their first game after the international break, away to high-flying Manchester United, is their toughest remaining fixture on paper and leaving Old Trafford with anything would be hugely impressive. That is their only game against a team currently above 10th in the standings but a trip to Bournemouth in April and hosting European football-chasing Brighton in their penultimate fixture won’t be easy. Will an FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham straight after the international break prove to be a welcome distraction or a hindrance?

Final straight? Leeds will be desperate to have secured safety by the time they travel to West Ham on the final day but if not, that could be a high-octane shootout for survival. Games against Brighton and Spurs immediately preceding that are too unfriendly as finales go.

Position: 16th | Played: 32 | Points: 33 | GD: -12

Remaining fixtures:

Where to pick up points? The three points they picked up by securing their first Premier League win since late January by hammering Tottenham 3-0 in the final match before the international break could prove vital with a tricky-looking remaining schedule. A home fixture against seemingly doomed Burnley is a golden opportunity for Forest to collect three more points and one further win in addition to that could be enough to get over the line. A home game against a mid-table Bournemouth side who may have nothing to play for on the final day could be their best chance.

Tricky contests? Games against two of the current top six still await Forest with trips to Man United and Chelsea on the docket but they’ll be buoyed by taking a point off fourth-placed Aston Villa ahead of next week’s Europa League quarter-final return leg against Porto. A trip to Wearside to face this season’s surprise package Sunderland at the end of April is also a tough ask.

Final straight? It’s not the best with a journey to Old Trafford on the penultimate day of the season far from ideal although, as mentioned above, hosting Bournemouth on the final day could offer a chance to snatch the points required if things aren’t wrapped up by then. A home match against a floundering Newcastle as their antepenultimate fixture could also be worse. Things could be complicated if they are still going in the Europa League by that point, however.

Position: 17th | Played: 32 | Points: 32 | GD: -17

Remaining fixtures:

Where to pick up points? Their impressive form since hugely damaging back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Nottingham Forest at the start of the year have seen West Ham go from doomed to having a genuine chance of survival – even climbing out of the bottom three by thumping Wolves 4-0 straight after the international break. They may well be questioning exactly where the form that has seen them claim five wins and three draws from their last 11 league games was earlier in the season but a trip to struggling Crystal Palace next suddenly looks like a golden chance to keep the momentum going. Welcoming Leeds to the London Stadium on the final day also looms incredibly large.

Tricky contests? The Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H) run from late April to early May does not look very friendly. The games before and after that run appear to be much better chances to pick up the points the Hammers need to pull off an impressive escape.

Final straight? If West Ham can get through that three-game stretch with a realistic shot at survival then an away game against Newcastle and a home clash with Leeds to finish the season might just be the ticket to get them clear of the drop zone. The final-day showdown against Daniel Farke’s side could be an all-time classic but won’t be a pretty watch if both sides are still fighting for their lives. However, the fact that the Whites are coming to the London Stadium at least plays into Nuno and co’s hands.

Position: 18th | Played: 32 | Points: 30 | GD: -11

Remaining fixtures:

Where to pick up points? At the moment, Spurs can’t pick up points from anywhere... They haven’t won for 15 league matches, with their last Premier League triumph coming against Crystal Palace back in December and their most recent attempt seeing De Zerbi lose 1-0 on his managerial bow at Sunderland. On paper, a game away to Wolves at the end of April is a good opportunity for three points, as is a potentially pivotal clash with Leeds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium three matches from the end of the campaign, but every fixture is tough currently.

Tricky contests? Sidestepping the obvious quip of ‘every single one’, given their recent form, away games at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa and Chelsea in May don’t look too fruitful. Even home fixtures against top-half sides Brighton and Everton suddenly look that much more dangerous as well.

Final straight? Leeds at home as the third-last game is absolutely huge. Should that game go awry and Spurs head into the final two matches in the relegation zone, then a trip to Stamford Bridge and clash with Everton to finish up appear unlikely to provide succour.

This could genuinely go in any direction and you’d have to be a brave person to predict the outcome with any confidence.

It will surely all come down to the final day when West Ham host Leeds in a showdown for the ages, Spurs play Everton and Nottingham Forest host Bournemouth. Leeds generally have the kindest fixtures and although the goals have dried up for them recently, they should have enough to survive given the current cushion.

Forest could be adversely affected by their Europa League run and will probably need to have survival wrapped up going into the final couple of games, while West Ham’s boosted their chances with that Wolves win.

Meanwhile, Spurs could be in real trouble if De Zerbi doesn’t flip the club’s fortunes and fast. He isn’t known as the fastest starter at new clubs - and with injuries piling up, we are beginning to really fear that the worst is probable rather than just possible for Spurs. But things can change within the week.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in