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.



Renard Stresses Importance of Saudi Arabia’s Match against Iraq in Gulf Cup

Renard speaks at the press conference on Friday. (SPA)
Renard speaks at the press conference on Friday. (SPA)
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Renard Stresses Importance of Saudi Arabia’s Match against Iraq in Gulf Cup

Renard speaks at the press conference on Friday. (SPA)
Renard speaks at the press conference on Friday. (SPA)

Saudi national football team coach Hervé Renard underlined on Friday the importance of his team's upcoming "challenging and crucial" match against Iraq in the Gulf Cup currently underway in Kuwait.

Winning the match is essential to advancing to the semifinals, he told a press conference.

The teams will clash on Saturday afternoon.

"The Saudi fans consistently support the national team. Although we did not begin the tournament at our usual level, we will strive to bring the Saudi national team to its normal situation," he vowed.

"I concentrate solely on football, analyzing matches and players' performances daily to achieve our objectives," he added.

Meanwhile, Iraqi national team coach Jesus Casas said the match against Saudi Arabia is a chance to evaluate the team's blend of youth and experience.

He emphasized the importance of achieving proper harmony for the team to deliver the best result.

"The last match was disappointing, and all the teams in the tournament are competitive. We do not make excuses; instead, we will concentrate on putting forth a solid performance against the Saudi national team," Casas said.