Kevin Danso has declared that he will not let racist abuse define him, after the Tottenham Hotspur defender was targeted on social media following a 2-2 draw with Brighton on 18 April. The Austria international, who joined Spurs on loan in February 2025 before making the move permanent in May, spoke to ITV News about the incident, emphasizing that the abuse will not affect his performances or self-worth.
Danso revealed that he had previously experienced racism while playing in Germany but chose not to report it. This time, however, he felt compelled to speak out. “The last time I did experience it, I was very young and I didn’t tell anybody about it,” he said. “I feel like this time it was important to say something, just address it and make sure that people are aware I’ve seen it. It’s not going to make me play any different and definitely there’s no need for it and basically you’re wasting your time.”
The incident occurred during the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign, which aims to promote diversity and tackle discrimination in football. Tottenham condemned the “vile, dehumanising racism” aimed at Danso and reported the abuse to the police. The Premier League released a statement saying discriminatory abuse has “absolutely no place in football or wider society” and that “anybody who chooses to abuse others is not welcome in our game.”
Danso, who came through the youth system at Reading before moving to Augsburg and later Lens, has faced racism since his childhood in Austria. “I grew up in Austria, facing racism quite a bit, being in a predominantly white country,” he added. “But again, I think I’ve learned how to deal with it in a way. It just doesn’t define me and it doesn’t belong in the world of football.”
The abuse of Danso is part of a troubling pattern in English football. Earlier in May, Merseyside Police arrested an Everton fan for alleged racist abuse towards Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo during a match against Manchester City. That followed a previous arrest and charge of a 47-year-old man for similar abuse directed at Semenyo earlier in the season. In February, four players were targeted in a single weekend: Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida, Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri, Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana, and Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare. The UK Football Policing Unit investigated those cases.
For Danso, the support from his club and the football community has been crucial. He acknowledged that he tries not to let the abuse affect his mindset. “I just try to not let it have as much of an effect on me and how I feel about myself and my performance in order to continue to play at a very high level,” he said. His response has been widely praised, with many noting his resilience in the face of hatred.
The incident also highlights the ongoing challenges in eradicating racism from football. Despite campaigns and disciplinary measures, social media remains a platform for abusers. The Premier League has called for more action from law enforcement and social media companies, stressing that “more needs to be done to address this issue.”
Danso’s stance is a powerful reminder that players are not defined by the abuse they receive. By speaking out, he has turned a painful experience into a call for change. “It just doesn’t define me,” he reiterated. “It doesn’t belong in the world of football.”
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
