Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday (19) condemned the “vile and dehumanizing racism” against defender Kevin Danso on social media, after his error gifted Brighton & Hove Albion with a late equalizer that left the Premier League club in the relegation zone.
Brighton scored in the final minutes after the 27-year-old Austrian lost the ball in a physical challenge, allowing Georginio Rutter to make it 2-2.
Still looking for a first league win in 2026, Spurs are in 18th place with five games remaining in the season.
“Kevin Danso has been, and continues to be, the target of significant and abhorrent racist abuse on social media,” Spurs said in a statement about the latest episode of racism, which remains alarmingly common in European football.
“We have heard and seen vile, dehumanizing racism. Behavior that is, without a doubt, a criminal offense. It will not be tolerated.”
Spurs said they are reporting the content to London’s Metropolitan Police, other authorities and social media platforms. British police have taken an increasingly tough line against those found guilty of racism, with arrests and bans, but are still fighting to eradicate it.
“We will press for the strictest possible action against each person we identify,” Spurs added. “Kevin has our complete and unconditional support as a player and as a person. No one at this club will ever be alone in this.”
“Nothing related to performance or position in the table can ever justify or explain racist abuse,” the club’s statement said.
Danso said he saw the comments directed at him, on a weekend when the Premier League was promoting its “No Room for Racism” initiative.
“Racist abuse has no place in this sport or anywhere. But it doesn’t define me and won’t distract me from what’s important. I know who I am, what I stand for and why I play,” he said on Instagram.
“Now it’s time to stay focused, work harder and come back stronger for the next games.”
