Tottenham’s Kevin Danso Speaks Out Against Racist Abuse, Says It Will Not Define Him
Kevin Danso of Tottenham Hotspur condemns racist abuse, saying it will not affect his performance or identity.
- Kevin Danso reports racist abuse received on social media after a Premier League match.
- Tottenham and police condemn the incident and launch investigations.
- The defender says racism will not affect his performance or define him.
Kevin Danso, defender for Tottenham Hotspur, has said he will not allow racist abuse directed at him to define his career or identity after being targeted on social media.
The club strongly condemned what it described as “vile, dehumanising racism” aimed at the Austria international following Tottenham’s 2–2 draw with Brighton on 18 April. The matter was also reported to the police.
Speaking to ITV News, Danso revealed that he had previously experienced racist abuse while playing in Germany but chose not to speak about it at the time.
“The last time I experienced it, I was very young and I didn’t tell anybody,” he said. “This time it was important to speak up and make sure people are aware I’ve seen it.”
He added that such abuse would not affect his performance or mentality on the pitch.
“It’s not going to make me play any different. There’s no need for it, and they’re just wasting their time,” he said.
Danso also reflected on growing up in Austria, noting that experiencing racism in a predominantly white society helped him learn how to cope with it, though he insisted it should not exist in football or anywhere else.
“I try not to let it affect how I feel about myself or my performance. It doesn’t define me, and it doesn’t belong in football,” he said.
The incident occurred during the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign, which aims to promote inclusion and combat discrimination in the sport.
The Premier League reiterated that racist abuse has “absolutely no place in football or society” and confirmed it is working with clubs, law enforcement, and social media companies to address the issue.
Danso joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan in February 2025 before completing a permanent move in May 2025, having previously played for clubs including Augsburg and Lens.
In recent months, several other footballers have also been subjected to racist abuse, prompting investigations by police and football authorities across the UK.
