Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has spoken out in a raw, emotional press conference following Arsenal’s recent match against Real Madrid — and the Ghanaian international made a worrying revelation about the messages he’s been receiving from his own fanbase.
Partey, who picked up a controversial yellow card during the heated encounter, admitted that while he understands he made a mistake, the reaction from some Arsenal supporters has crossed a dangerous line.
“I know I was wrong for that yellow card I collected against Madrid,” Partey confessed. “In life, mistakes are bound to happen. But the extent at which Arsenal fans are flooding my DM with life-threatening messages shows that my service is no longer needed here.”
The midfielder didn’t hold back, describing how his social media inbox has been bombarded with abusive and threatening messages since the final whistle. According to Partey, the negativity has reached such alarming levels that it’s made him question his future at the club.
“You give your all for a team, you fight for the badge every time you step on that pitch. One wrong moment and people forget everything else. It hurts,” Partey added.
The incident has sparked immediate reaction online, with many Arsenal fans condemning the behavior of those responsible for the threats. Several supporters took to Twitter and Instagram to defend Partey, urging the club to take action against individuals sending abusive messages.
One fan wrote: “Nobody deserves to be threatened over a game. Partey’s been a soldier for us — people need to chill.”
Another posted: “Mistakes happen in football. No player should feel unsafe or unwanted because of a yellow card. Disgusting behavior from those so-called fans.”
Club officials are yet to release a statement regarding the situation, but sources close to the player suggest Partey is deeply affected by the ordeal and considering his options moving forward.
This isn’t the first time a player has opened up about the dark side of football fandom, but Partey’s honesty serves as a sobering reminder of the real-life impact online abuse can have on athletes.