Arsenal are investigating social media posts sent to Kai Havertz’s wife amid the club’s third-round exit to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
The forward, 25, missed a chance to win the game in normal time and then had his penalty saved by United’s Altay Bayindir in the shootout.
United won 5-3 on penalties following the 1-1 draw before his partner, Sophia – who is expecting her first child with the Germany international – reposted two abusive messages she had received on Instagram.
She described one message as ‘shocking’ and urged her half-a-million followers to be ‘more respectful’. It is understood data technology company Signify has been tasked by Arsenal to determine the identity of the abusers, according to PA.
“For anyone to think it’s okay to write something like this is so shocking to me. I hope you are so ashamed of yourself,” Sophia wrote online as she shared the messages.
The investigation could then enable the club to report the perpetrators to the police and the accounts will also be flagged up to Instagram. It is understood Instagram has removed the abusive content for violating its policies.
Havertz is set to be back in the spotlight on Wednesday (January 15) when Arsenal host north London rivals Tottenham at the Emirates.