It might be assumed that a player moving from the Premier League to Belgium’s Jupiler League would experience a decrease in online harassment from trolls. However, for beloved Tottenham player Toby Alderweireld, this has not been the case. Since leaving Spurs and returning to Belgium, he has faced some of the most severe online abuse of his career.
Alderweireld’s reputation in the Belgian pro league is well-established due to his time with Tottenham and Atletico Madrid. Therefore, when trolls target Royal Antwerp, the experienced defender becomes a focal point for their attacks. In response to this troubling trend, the 35-year-old has spoken out in support of a Belgian FA campaign, ComeTogether.be, which aims to raise awareness and combat online abuse.
One particularly disturbing incident involved an anonymous troll threatening to kidnap Alderweireld’s young daughter. This threat prompted the player to take action, emphasizing the seriousness of online hate and the necessity of addressing it. Alderweireld made it clear that while he understands the passion fans have for their clubs, threats and harassment have no place in sports discourse.
For more information on the ComeTogether.be campaign and Alderweireld’s stance against online abuse, Tottenham supporters are encouraged to visit the website.
