'Really disrespectful' - Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou jumps to defence of 'plastic' fans who travel to watch Spurs from across the globe

The 58-year-old Spurs boss has come to the defence of supporters who voyage from far and wide to see his side in action, after a reporter referred to them as 'plastic' during a recent press conference. The journalist had claimed it was just a matter of getting 'tourists' into the stadium on a weekly basis. However, Postecoglou argued that it was unfair to question the passion shown by global fans - given the expense and obstacles they face to support the team.

Responding to fans who travel the globe to watch his Spurs side in action being labelled as 'plastic', Postecoglou said: "See, that's really harsh. I'll tell you why, because I'm probably plastic and touristy because I am coming from the other side of the world and am really passionate about football.

"If I could get access to see a Premier League game, that was the world to me. To label people 'plastic' or 'tourists', I don't think that's very fair. Just because they live on the other side of the world.

"This football club has supporters all over the world that don't always get access to the games and I think we should always have the ability to accommodate them. It doesn't make them any less passionate. I think it's really disrespectful to call fans [plastic], who are willing to go to the expense of coming half way around the world, you don't know how passionate they are."

Spurs have one of the largest global fanbases in London. Within the United Kingdom, there are around three million supporters spread across the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, on an international scale, there is said to be more than 180 million fans following Postecoglou's side.

The worldwide Tottenham faithful will be tuning in for Saturday's clash against Fulham, as Postecoglou and his men look to leapfrog Aston Villa in the Premier League table. Unai Emery's side sit in fourth place currently, two points above Spurs in fifth. The north Londoners closed the gap on Villa in their last league outing, after recording an emphatic 4-0 win against them away from home.