Tottenham and Burnley have launched an investigation after a 13-year-old was ejected from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday for racially abusing Heung-min Son.
The Burnley supporter was spotted discriminating against the South Korean by stewards, who had received training from anti-racism organisation Kick It Out earlier in the day, and was promptly ejected. Son scored a stunning solo goal, as Spurs won 5-0.
Both clubs this morning confirmed they are seeking more information on the incident. Kick It Out, meanwhile, have been in contact with both clubs to offer support, as well as education to the offender.
The episode was part of another shameful weekend for English football, with a man arrested on Sunday following an incident during Saturday’s Manchester derby.
A 41-year-old army veteran, Anthony Burke, is accused of making monkey gestures towards United midfielder Fred around the time the Brazilian midfielder was hit by a lighter thrown from the crowd. The FA are investigating both incidents, while City have vowed to issue lifetime bans to any fans found guilty of racism.
After the match, Fred and Jesse Lingard reported what they believed to be racist abuse from the stands, with the Brazilian describing the situation as evidence of a “backward society”.
Burke, meanwhile, has protested his innocence, writing on Facebook: “Listen, I’m only [a] racist c*** because I had a screenshot that made me look it. However, I ain’t racist, watch the match half of it was me with me putting my hands in my pants. I know the true.” Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a 41-year-old man had been remanded in custody.
Elsewhere, Charlton’s Lyle Taylor has revealed that Instagram declined to take action against an account which repeatedly racially abused him, with the social media platform claiming the messages did not “go against our Community Guidelines”.
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Meanwhile, Everton are investigating reports of homophobic chanting during Saturday’s match against Chelsea. “Both the club and Kick It Out have received reports of a homophobic chant being aimed at Chelsea’s fansby a small section of the home crowd,” a club statement said. “Homophobia has no place within our stadium, our club, our community or our game.”
