Tottenham Hotspur striker Mathys Tel faces racial abuse after penalty miss in UEFA Super Cup shootout

France and Tottenham Hotspur striker Mathys Tel has become the target of racial abuse on social media after the latter missed a penalty kick at 2-2 in regulation time. Tel and Micky van de Ven were the two Spurs players who failed to convert their spot-kicks, while Vitinha missed the opening penalty for PSG.

Tottenham were leading 2-0, until the 85th minute at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy. With goals from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. However, late strikes from Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Ramos brought PSG level, forcing the match into a penalty shootout, which the English club lost eventually.

Tottenham Hotspur criticise racism remarks

In response to the abuse, Tottenham Hotspur has issued a strong statement condemning the incident. The club has also urged social media platforms and relevant responsible authorities to take action against those liable for the abuse.

“We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night’s UEFA Super Cup defeat,” the English club said.

"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," Tottenham said.

Tel, 20, who came in as a substitute in the 79th minute of the game. He joined Tottenham Hotspur last month from the German club, Bayern Munich for a reported fee of £30 million, following a brief loan spell with the Premier League side last season. A regular for France’s under-21 team, Tel was part of the squad that reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Under-21 European Championship in June this year, where the French team was defeated 0-3 by Germany.

Spurs statement comes in the wake of England defender Jess Carter also revealing that she was subjected to racist abuse during the Euro 2025 qualifiers last month.

In June, several tennis players including Britain’s Katie Boulter — called for stronger action from social media companies to combat "dangerous" online abuse, after Boulter revealed that receiving abusive messages and death threats had become "the norm" for athletes.