Football: Spurs call for action after ‘reprehensible’ online racist abuse of Son

LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur have called on social media companies to take action after forward Son Heung-min was subjected to “utterly reprehensible” online racist abuse during Sunday’s 2-0 English Premier League win over West Ham United.

South Korea captain Son scored Spurs’ second goal four minutes after coming on as a substitute in the London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“We have been made aware of the utterly reprehensible online racist abuse directed at Son during today’s match, which has been reported by the club. We stand with Sonny and once again call on the social media companies and authorities to take action,” Spurs said in a statement on Twitter.

In August, Chelsea banned a season-ticket holder indefinitely after Son was racially abused during their 2-2 draw with Spurs at Stamford Bridge.

In June 2022, 12 men, who had been arrested for racially abusing Son on Twitter, were given community service punishments and wrote apologies to the Tottenham forward.

Spurs club officials had also complained of “abhorrent racist abuse” on social media after the 3-1 home defeat by Manchester United on April 11, 2021.

Anti-racism group Kick It Out called on social media companies to introduce “meaningful reforms” in February, after Brentford striker Ivan Toney was subjected to racial abuse on Instagram. Toney was targeted after his equaliser in Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal was not ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside.

On the pitch, Son produced the perfect response after being dropped as he came off the bench to seal the win on 72 minutes.

He has struggled badly this season and his poor form convinced Tottenham’s absentee boss Antonio Conte to axe him for the Premier League clash. His assistant Cristian Stellini has won all three matches while deputising for Conte this season.

“The moment was important and it was the moment for Son. With the space, Son is an amazing player and we try to use him in this way,” Stellini said.

“Son has a goal, so we are happy for him. He has to stay calm and produce his best performance. At the moment he is not 100 per cent, so we have to manage him.”

Before Sunday, the 30-year-old had scored in only four league matches this season. But Son made his point to Conte as he came off the bench to net Tottenham’s second goal after Emerson Royal put the hosts ahead 11 minutes into the second half.

“Nobody wants to sit on the bench, but it’s a decision you to have accept,” Son said. “I tried my best to help the team. I got the chance and I was happy to score.

“The pass was really good and my first touch helped to make the goal.”

His ninth goal in all competitions this season mirrored his hat-trick against Leicester City in September, which came after he was dropped and then introduced as a substitute.

Despite the goal, former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Spurs should continue starting Richarlison over Son for now. The two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner told Sky Sports: “Richarlison didn’t do enough but you have to give him a run otherwise it’ll kill him.

“You have to give him three or four matches.

“You make Son more angry, he has done well, he scored, but you have to give (Richarlison) more matches. When the game is open, it is easier to get more balls, more space. I would still put Son on the bench.”

Tottenham have 42 points from 24 games, one more than Newcastle United, who have a game in hand. West Ham are in 18th with 20 points from 23 matches, a point below the safety zone.

The Hammers have now won only once in their last 11 league games with pressure mounting on manager David Moyes.

He said of his players: “They’ve been challenged, now let’s see who’s up for the fight.” REUTERS, AFP