Police have begun investigating social media abuse which was aimed at the wife of Arsenal forward Kai Havertz.
Havertz had missed a penalty in Arsenal’s shootout loss as he also put in a below-par performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round last Sunday.
After what was the Gunners’ second consecutive defeat, the German’s spouse, Sophia, reposted two demeaning messages she received on Instagram.
“Officers have received a report of malicious communications towards Hertfordshire resident on Sunday 12 January. Enquiries are under way,” a police spokesperson said to Britain’s Press Association.
Speaking to the media, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was highly displeased with what he tagged “terrible consequences” of online abuse.
“It’s something that we really have to eradicate from the game, because it’s so cynical as well,” he said.
Havertz had netted 12 times in 27 games for Arsenal this season but his disappointing finishing in the games against Newcastle and Man United spurred criticism once again.
However, Arteta insisted there is no excuse for such abuse.
“We can accept it and say ‘that’s our job’, but there are certain limits and the line has to be drawn. It cannot happen. That’s it.”
