Mathys Tel’s Social Media Misstep: Spurs Newcomer Apologizes for Willian Shirt Post
Mathys Tel, Tottenham Hotspur’s young January signing, found himself in hot water with Spurs supporters recently. The 19-year-old forward was compelled to issue an apology and remove a social media post after it inadvertently offended a section of the club’s passionate fanbase. Tel’s seemingly innocent action quickly became a talking point amongst fans, highlighting the intense rivalries and historical sensitivities within football.
Tottenham Hotspur Fans React to Mathys Tel’s Controversial Post: Was it a Blunder?
Tel’s move to North London in the winter transfer window was itself a saga. After initially appearing to turn down Tottenham, he eventually joined the club in January. This transfer window drama had also seen links to Manchester United, making it a noteworthy Premier League transfer story. Arriving with considerable anticipation, Tel, on loan from Bayern Munich, hasn’t yet delivered the expected on-field impact. His solitary goal for Spurs came in an FA Cup defeat against Aston Villa. However, it was an off-field incident that truly grabbed headlines and sparked debate among supporters.
The controversy erupted when Mathys Tel posted a picture on Instagram sporting a Fulham shirt emblazoned with the name ‘Willian’. This seemingly innocuous choice of attire ignited fury among some Spurs fans due to Willian’s deeply intertwined and contentious history with Tottenham Hotspur.
To understand the strong reaction, it’s essential to revisit Willian’s past with Spurs:
- 2013 Near Miss: Back in 2013, Willian was on the verge of signing for Tottenham Hotspur. A deal seemed imminent and fans were excited about the Brazilian’s arrival at White Hart Lane.
- Chelsea Hijacking: In a dramatic turn of events, Chelsea, Tottenham’s bitter London rivals, dramatically hijacked the transfer at the last minute, snatching Willian away.
- ‘Best Decision’ Jibe: Adding insult to injury, Willian later described his decision to choose Chelsea over Spurs as the ‘best decision’ of his career, further antagonizing Tottenham supporters.
- Arsenal Move: As if the Chelsea betrayal wasn’t enough, Willian further deepened the wound by joining Arsenal, another fierce North London rival, for the 2020/21 season.
Given this history, it’s clear why Mathys Tel’s Instagram post of himself in a Willian Fulham shirt triggered such a strong negative response from a section of Tottenham’s faithful.
Tel’s controversial Instagram post- m.tel14
Recognizing the growing backlash, Mathys Tel quickly responded to disgruntled fans. He replied, ‘Ahaha sorry my bad guys I didn’t know,’ before promptly deleting the offending post. Despite the swift apology and removal, the online criticism from sections of the Spurs fanbase persisted.
Fan reactions on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) were varied, but many expressed their displeasure:
- Outrage: One fan questioned the player’s awareness, stating: “How do footballers not realise that this goes down like a lead balloon…”
- Demand for Action: Another fan’s reaction was more extreme, calling for the termination of his loan: “Send him back to BM asap. Give Moore some playing time please, Mr. Ange.”
- Historical Context: A third supporter highlighted the recent Fulham victory over Spurs and Willian’s history: “People trying to defend him looooool, we’ve recently lost 2-0 to Fulham, to then rep William who mugged us off for Chelsea.”
However, not all reactions were negative. Many Spurs fans adopted a more understanding stance, attributing Tel’s mistake to his youth and recent arrival at the club. This group believed there was no malicious intent behind the post:
- Defense based on Ignorance: One fan defended Tel’s actions: “Who cares lol why would he know the connotations William has with our club.”
- Age and Context: Another fan pointed out the generational gap: “How would he know about a transfer that happened 12 or 13 years ago when he was a literal child and lived in a different country?”
- Praise for Quick Action: Some even commended Tel for his prompt apology and deletion: “Fair play to him for deleting it straight away. The guy clearly didn’t know. Top geezer.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the deep-seated passions and long memories within football fandom. While Mathys Tel’s apology and swift action might have diffused the immediate crisis, it underscores the importance for players to be mindful of club rivalries and fan sensitivities in the age of social media.
What do you think? Was Mathys Tel’s social media post an understandable mistake, or a genuine blunder? Let us know your opinion in the comments below!