Police have been urged to take action over an Arsenal fan’s racist gesture towards Heung-Min Son after it was caught on camera.
The South Korean went off towards the corner to celebrate in front of Arsenal fans during the North London derby on Sunday afternoon, but one fan in a photo taken and published online as seen social media users claim a Gunners supporter made a racist gesture with his hand and face.
Calls for strict action were made, not only for the clubs to take a stand but also for the London Metropolitan Police to intervene.
Kick It Out responded with a tweet: “Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This matter has been passed onto our Reporting team and they will action accordingly with the relevant authorities.”
Holly Clemens @HollyBBC said: “Those vile racist fans being disgusting towards Son when he scored his first goal can take that!! No excuse for racism. Ever. Son is unbelievable and an absolute gent. Protect him at all costs.”
Stay classy, @Arsenal. @kickitout pic.twitter.com/TcS445L2ag
— El Tel 🧨 (@ElTel__) September 24, 2023
Credit – AFP
Son Heung-Min vs Arsenal (reupload) 🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/BmjfpiMkC0
— Cho 🇰🇷 (@thfc_cho) September 25, 2023
Unfortunately, it’s not the first time that Son has had to put up with this kind of abuse in English football.
Tottenham have previously called on social media companies to take action after Son was subjected to “utterly reprehensible” racist abuse online, occurring during the 2-0 Premier League victory over West Ham in February 2023, during which substitute Son scored Spurs’ second goal.
Tottenham uploaded on Twitter saying they had reported the abuse towards Son.
“We stand with Sonny and once again call on the social media companies and authorities to take action,” they said.
Tottenham added: “We have been made aware of the utterly reprehensible online racist abuse directed at Heung-Min Son during today’s match, which has been reported by the club.”
Anti-racism group Kick It Out, at the time, said it was “disgusted” to hear of the racist abuse aimed at Son days after Ivan Toney was also targetted.
“Both have been targeted in the past. The longer it takes social media companies to take action, or government to pass the online safety bill, the more players will be abused,” Kick It Out said in a statement.
“Are players just expected to take the abuse while we wait for reform? Players should not be victims, they need better protection online and this is why change needs to come quickly.
“We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners across the game to ensure that those responsible for perpetrating discriminatory abuse face the strongest possible consequences for their actions.”
Tottenham also addressed the incident where a Crystal Palace fan racially abuse Heung-Min Son, as can be seen HERE.
How embarrassing.
This goes against everything that our club stands for. We’re one of the most diverse, inclusive clubs in the country.
Everyone is welcome at Crystal Palace – everyone except people who discriminate against others. #TOTCRY #CPFC pic.twitter.com/lFv9Ir9jqY
— Team Called Palace (@TCPalacePod) May 7, 2023
It came in the 89th minute of Tottenham’s 1-0 win, with Son replaced by Arnaut Danjuma who then had to walk past the Palace travelling supporters and around the pitch.
Son previously received racist abuse during a match in August between Chelsea vs Tottenham at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea taking to banning a season ticket holder for life after social media footage caught the incident.
In March, the Crown Prosecution Service issued an order to a Chelsea fan, banning him for three years from attending any live football games.
An Everton fan was also been spotted live on TV making a racist gesture towards Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son with Sky Sports cameras panning to the supporters instead of showing the horror injury Andre Gomes suffered, which lead to Son getting sent off. See more on that HERE.
As mentioned, police have been urged to take action over an Arsenal fan’s racist gesture towards Heung-Min Son…
@youngbenner: I’m absolutely appalled by this sort of behavior. If @Arsenal and @metpoliceuk don’t get involved all hope is lost. Yours truly, @SpursOfficial Fan
@Bobloblaw82: Shocking but society is broken
@anto_thofficial: A whole grown man
@nickprice153: Nice and easy to spot @metpoliceuk @Arsenal
@Grant12513770: Take action against him!!!!!!
@hml2007: Name and shame! Someone will know this tool 😡
@Benny94699202: That’s just wrong on all levels.
@HotspudFC: @Arsenal what are you going to do about the casual racism from your fans
@TheGoonerLad31: Disgusting do something about it @metpoliceuk
@dannicondon: @Arsenal what are you doing about this racist crap 🤷♀️
@_danit6: Absolutely disgusting. Give them a lifetime ban @Arsenal @metpoliceuk @MetCC @kickitout
@hm7son: @Arsenal @SpursOfficial Find a racist man and punish him severely
You must be logged in to post a comment Login