LONDON: Tottenham has slammed the “cowards” who racially abused French forward Mathys Tel after the team’s loss to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout in the UEFA Super Cup.
The 20-year-old Tel, who is Black, was one of two Tottenham players who failed to convert their penalties as they lost the shootout 4-3 to PSG after a 2-2 draw.
“We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night’s UEFA Super Cup defeat,” Tottenham said in a statement.
“Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards — hiding behind anonymous user names and profiles to spout their abhorrent views.”
Tottenham said the club 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,” Spurs added.
Tel, who joined the team on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich in the offseason after a loan spell last season, came on as a substitute in the 79th minute when Tottenham was 2-0 ahead.
He hit his penalty wide of the goal in the shootout.
Tottenham condemns racist abuse of Mathys Tel after UEFA Super Cup
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Tottenham condemns racist abuse of Mathys Tel after UEFA Super Cup
- The 20-year-old Tel, who is Black, was one of two Tottenham players who failed to convert their penalties as they lost the shootout 4-3 to PSG after a 2-2 draw
Saudis need extra time to end Palestine’s dream Arab Cup run and claim semi-final spot
- The Green Falcons dominated the first half but the breakthrough came early in the second when Salem Al-Dawsari drew a foul in the box and Feras Al-Buraikan converted the penalty
- Palestine responded immediately to level the score, but with just 5 minutes of extra time remaining Mohammed Kanno sealed the victory for Saudi Arabia
DOHA: Saudi Arabia halted Palestine’s impressive Arab Cup run at the quarter-final stage with a hard-fought, 2-1, extra-time victory in a tense match on Thursday.
Herve Renard’s side dominated for long spells during the first half in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, as they probed patiently against a disciplined Palestinian defense that had kept two clean sheets in their three matches during the group stage.
The closest the Green Falcons came before the break was late in the opening period when a deep cross created space for Feras Al-Buraikan, only for Hamed Hamdan to make a crucial, last-ditch clearance.
Saudi Arabia eventually broke through early in the second half through their talisman, Salem Al-Dawsari, whose sharp first touch drew a foul from Mohammed Saleh inside the area. Al-Buraikan converted the resultant penalty with confidence to give the Saudis a deserved lead.
Palestine responded immediately, however; Oday Dabbagh controlled a cross from Hassan Altambakti with a superb first touch before finishing clinically to level the match and reignite hopes of a historic semi-final berth.
Saudi Arabia thought they had a chance to retake the lead late on when they were awarded another penalty, but the video assistant referee overturned the decision. And so, with the teams locked at 1-1, the match moved into extra time.
With five minutes remaining, and a penalty shoot-out looming, Mohammed Kanno delivered the decisive blow as he rose to head home a pinpoint cross from Al-Dawsari, sending the Green Falcons into the last four and bringing an admirable Palestinian campaign to an end.
