'Something has to change' - Richarlison launches passionate defence of Tottenham team-mate Mathys Tel after French forward targeted with racial abuse

Tottenham had a sensational start in Udine, but their night ended in despair and selective outrage. Leading Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 with just five minutes of normal time remaining in the Super Cup, Spurs seemed destined for glory after Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero struck in either half at the Bluenergy Stadium. But a late collapse saw Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos haul PSG level before a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out decided the contest.

The drama intensified when Tel, who joined Spurs permanently from Bayern Munich for £30 million in June, sent his spot-kick wide. PSG sealed a 4-3 shoot-out win, and soon after, the 20-year-old found himself at the centre of a storm of racial abuse on social media.

Tel’s Spurs team-mate Richarlison was one of the first to leap to his defence, blasting the trolls in a furious post on social media.

"Winning or losing, getting it wrong or right, it’s all part of the game," he wrote. "Racism is not! Tel is still a young lad, great player at the beginning of his journey… and doesn't deserve this, just like anyone else. This type of behaviour has no place anywhere anymore. I hope these people (if I can even call them that) are severely punished!! It's so easy to hide behind a social media profile spreading hate and this kind of speech. Something has to change! We're with you, Tel!"

Tottenham issued their own statement, branding the racist attacks "disgusting" and the perpetrators "cowards".

"We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night's UEFA Super Cup defeat," it read. "Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards - hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views. We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify. We stand with you, Mathys."

While Tottenham process the sting of losing the Super Cup from a dominant position, attention must quickly shift to the Premier League as Thomas Frank’s side welcome newly promoted Burnley on Saturday.