Police are investigating online abuse suffered by Arsenal striker Kai Havertz’s wife.
Sofia Havertz has shared a direct message on social media sent to her after Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on Sunday.
A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson told the Press Association on Wednesday: “Officers received a report of a malicious communication directed at a Hertfordshire resident on Sunday, January 12. An investigation is ongoing.”
Arsenal lost to United in a penalty shoot-out, with German striker Havertz missing a close-range chance to win the game at the Emirates Stadium.
His wife shared two posts to her Instagram Story on Monday, including one in which someone threatened to “butcher” their unborn baby.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called for action.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” Arteta said. We really need to do something about it because accepting it and hiding it has dire consequences,” he said. “It’s something that needs to be eradicated from the game because it’s too cynical and dependent on the consequences of actions. “There is no other industry like this.”
Havertz was back in action for Arsenal on Wednesday in a 2-1 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
The home fans cheered loudly when the stadium announcer called out the 25-year-old’s name when announcing the club.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said: “There is a perception of social media, but when you come to the stadium and actually hear what the actual fans think, they are two different things.”
“The cheers he got tonight were outrageous. When his name was called, the biggest cheer of the night, you could tell it meant a lot to him.”
