Spurs Call for Action after ‘Reprehensible’ Racist Abuse of Son

Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (AP)
Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (AP)
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Spurs Call for Action after ‘Reprehensible’ Racist Abuse of Son

Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (AP)
Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (AP)

Tottenham Hotspur called for social media companies and authorities to "take action" after online racist abuse was directed at Son Heung-min following his goal against West Ham on Sunday.

South Korea captain Son emerged from the bench in the second half to net Spurs' second goal in the 2-0 win in the London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"We have been made aware of the utterly reprehensible online racist abuse directed at Son Heung-min during today's match, which has been reported by the club," Tottenham said on the club's official Twitter feed on Sunday night.

"We stand with Sonny and once again call on the social media companies and authorities to take action."

The Football Association echoed the club's call for action.

"We strongly condemn the racist abuse aimed at Son Heung-min this evening," an FA spokesperson replied to Tottenham's tweet.

"This has no place in our game and we fully support the authorities and social media companies to take the strongest possible action to tackle it."

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

Tottenham club officials had complained of "abhorrent racist abuse" on social media after the 3-1 home defeat to Manchester United on April 11, 2021.

"Another match day and more abhorrent racial abuse suffered by one of our players," said a Spurs statement at the time.

"This has again been reported to the platforms and we shall now undertake a full review alongside the Premier League to determine the most effective action moving forward."

In August 2022, Chelsea banned a season ticket holder indefinitely for aiming racist abuse at Son during a 2-2 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge.



Mastantuono’s Move to Real Madrid Was Premature, Says River Boss Gallardo

Franco Mastantuono #30 of CA River Plate looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CA River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 17, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. )Getty Images/AFP)
Franco Mastantuono #30 of CA River Plate looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CA River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 17, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. )Getty Images/AFP)
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Mastantuono’s Move to Real Madrid Was Premature, Says River Boss Gallardo

Franco Mastantuono #30 of CA River Plate looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CA River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 17, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. )Getty Images/AFP)
Franco Mastantuono #30 of CA River Plate looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CA River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 17, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. )Getty Images/AFP)

Franco Mastantuono's transfer to Real Madrid came too soon, while the 17-year-old was still developing and pivotal to River Plate's future, said coach Marcelo Gallardo ahead of the Argentine team's Club World Cup match against Monterrey.

Gallardo acknowledged Mastantuono's departure will leave a void in his squad after the Spanish giants completed a deal worth around $45 million with River for the teenager earlier this month.

For the Argentine manager, the midfielder still needed more time to grow at the club, but he acknowledged the early transfer as an understandable part of modern football.

"It's natural, we train players for the world. Everything is happening earlier, young players are leaving faster, and I understand that those are the rules of the game," Gallardo told ESPN on Friday.

"Our sporting project for the year was with him. We have to readjust, because there are players who, by their nature, are difficult to replace.

"We knew that Mastantuono was going to leave at some point, but fans don't enjoy it that way. The market dictates the timing."

Gallardo said he's urging Mastantuono to stay focused on the tournament despite the noise around his move.

"All I want is for him to play naturally, to try to forget about everything that's going on, which is very difficult," he said.

"I don't talk to him about where he's going to live or anything like that. I want him to play, which is what he knows how to do."

River began their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, a result Gallardo described as key to easing early nerves.

"We are happy to be able to be in a competition like this, a new one," he said. "I'm excited about how it's going, it was essential to start with a win and get over the nerves.

"Now we're preparing for the match in Monterrey, which is a different level of difficulty."

Following Saturday's game against the Mexican team in Pasadena, River will face Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday.