Crystal Palace player gets death threats after Núñez ejected

Category: Sports

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. abusive / əˈbyu sɪv / (adj.) – using insulting language
    Example:

    Some fans can sometimes be abusive toward critics of their idols.


  2. expletive / ˈɛk splɪ tɪv / (n.) – a rude word or phrase used to express frustration, anger, or pain
    Example:

    The movie uses a lot of expletives. It’s not appropriate for children.


  3. jostle / ˈdʒɒs əl / (v.) – to bump against someone, especially in an annoying way, to get past that person
    Example:

    The fans jostled to get a closer look at the band on stage.


  4. thrust / θrʌst / (v.) – to push with force
    Example:

    The football players thrust each other to get the ball.


  5. send off / sɛnd ɔf / (phrasal v.) – to make a player leave and stop participating in a game
    Example:

    The referee sent off the two players who got into a fight during the game.


Article

Read the text below.

Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen says he received death threats and an avalanche of abuse online after Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez was ejected for headbutting him in a Premier League game on August 15.


Andersen took to Instagram to share what he said was a sample of hundreds of abusive messages he has received since the 1-1 draw at Anfield.


“Got maybe 300-400 of these messages last night,” the Dane posted to his Instagram story, which called on the league and Instagram to take action.


Media reports said Andersen has also spoken to the police.


Some of the screenshots called for the Palace player’s death, and many were full of expletives. Some messages threatened not just Andersen but his family as well.


A Premier League spokesperson confirmed the governing body had been in touch with Palace to offer help, Britain’s Press Association said.


The British parliament had been set to discuss new legislation in July that would have forced tech companies to take stronger measures to tackle abuse and hate on their platforms, but the bill was postponed until a new leader of the ruling Conservative party is chosen.


Núñez was making his first competitive start for Liverpool. The club’s big offseason signing lost his temper after jostling with Andersen off the ball and thrust his head into the face of the defender. He was sent off in the 57th minute. Andersen got a yellow card in the same incident.


Núñez is facing a three-match ban for violent conduct.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • A video of the game showed how Andersen provoked Núñez several times until the headbutting happened. Do you think the three-match ban Núñez received for violent conduct is appropriate? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Andersen received hundreds of threats and hate messages after the incident. What do you think of the fans’ reaction? Why do you think some fans reacted this way? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Andersen received abusive messages online, including threats and expletives. What action do you think tech companies should take to tackle this huge issue? Discuss.
  • The British parliament wants to create a law for tech companies to take stronger measures against abuse and hate on their platforms. Do you think a law like this should be passed in your country? Why or why not? Discuss.