(Credit: Imago)

Edward Bazeley

Thu 14 August 2025 9:51, UK

Tottenham have responded promptly to the racial abuse suffered by forward Mathys Tel after their UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG on Wednesday.

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The North Londoners established a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from defender Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, but Lee Kang-In and Goncalo Ramos scored late on for PSG to send the game to a penalty shootout on 13 August.

Van de Ven and Tel both missed their spot kicks as PSG beat Tottenham 4-3 on penalties to kickstart their campaign with a trophy.

Spurs will now turn their attention to their first Premier League game of the season, which sees them host Burnley on Saturday, 16 August.

Thomas Frank’s Spurs were beaten by PSG (Credit: Imago)

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official, and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

Tottenham missed an opportunity to claim their second piece of silverware in a matter of months, after beating Manchester United in May’s Europa League final.

Meanwhile, after directing his penalty off target, Tel was subject to racial abuse.

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Tottenham responded to the serious incidents via X on Thursday, 14 August as they wrote: “We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night’s UEFA Super Cup defeat.

“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. 

“We 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.”

Hackett exclusively told Football Insider: “All participants in sport make mistakes or do not achieve the outcome that they want or desire.

“This player in a tense situation goes through a great deal of pressure before taking a penalty kick to determine the outcome of the match.

“I have been close up in these situations and seen that pressure exposed on the face of the kicker, whilst placing the ball on the penalty mark and at the start of their run up.

“I have witnessed the joy of a kick been converted and the huge disappointment when the kicker fails.
It is something that the player has to live with for the rest of his life.

“In this instance the racial abuse to this player or any participant in the game of football is not acceptable.
The club to their credit have acted quickly.

“I hope that they will find out who the people are who posted this abuse and make them accountable.
Find out who they are and inform the police.“

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