Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey has been subjected to a torrent of racist abuse on social media following an incident in the match against Tottenham that resulted in an injury to opposing captain Cristián Romero. Argentine fans flooded the Dutch player's Instagram account with offensive comments and emojis.
The incident occurred during the Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light when the forward pushed the defender, causing the Argentine centre-back to collide violently with his own goalkeeper, Antonín Kinský. The severity of the impact was immediately apparent, with Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki desperately gesturing for medical assistance.
Visibly shaken, Romero ultimately left the pitch in tears, unable to continue playing. This marks the second injury concern for the defender in a short period, having been substituted last month with a head injury during a UEFA Champions League match against Atlético Madrid. Meanwhile, the Spurs goalkeeper sustained a head wound but managed to remain on the field with a protective bandage.
According to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, the London club's captain is currently undergoing medical examinations to determine the exact extent of the injury.
The incident capped a disastrous afternoon for Tottenham, who lost 1-0, with Nordi Mukiele scoring the decisive goal. The victory was crucial for Sunderland, who climbed to 12th in the table. In contrast, the situation for the London side and their new manager, Roberto De Zerbi, is alarming. The team sits in 18th place, in the relegation zone, two points from safety.
To compound De Zerbi's debut woes, Tottenham saw a penalty decision overturned by VAR. Referee Rob Jones had initially awarded a foul on Randal Kolo Muani, but after reviewing the footage, he rescinded his initial decision, much to the fury of the Spurs bench. Their next fixture will be a crucial encounter against Brighton, De Zerbi's former club.