Joachim Andersen Got over 300 Death Threats After Darwin Núñez Incident vs. Liverpool
Aug 16, 2022
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool battles for possession with Joachim Andersen of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace at Anfield on August 15, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace center back Joachim Andersen received hundreds of death threats following the club's 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Monday.
Andersen was involved in the match's most contentious moment when Darwin Núñez headbutted him and received a red card in the 57th minute.
The Danish defender shared a number of threats he has since received, saying he "got maybe 3-400 of these messages last night." (warning: images contain profanity.)
Joachim Andersen has brought attention to a stream of abuse he has received on Instagram from Liverpool fans following his involvement in Darwin Nunez’s red card last night.
In February 2021, English soccer officials wrote a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey asking for the companies to do more to curb the abuse players receive on social media:
The language used is debasing, often threatening and illegal. It causes distress to the recipients and the vast majority of people who abhor racism, sexism and discrimination of any kind. We have had many meetings with your executives over the years but the reality is your platforms remain havens for abuse. Your inaction has created the belief in the minds of the anonymous perpetrators that they are beyond reach. The relentless flow of racist and discriminatory messages feeds on itself: the more it is tolerated by Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, platforms with billions of users, the more it becomes normal, accepted behaviour.
The Professional Footballers' Association funded a study in August 2021 that found 44 percent of the 400 Premier League players with a personal Twitter account had received abuse on the platform during the 2020-21 season.
Home Secretary Priti Patel rolled out new legislation in January that would issue stadium bans to supporters guilty of targeting soccer players online or chanting racist or homophobic insults inside the ground. The new law went into effect in June.
According to the Times' Paul Joyce and Gary Jacob, Crystal Palace is expected to contact local authorities regarding the threats directed toward Andersen.
Wilfried Zaha Becomes 1st EPL Player to Not Kneel Since Demonstrations Began
Mar 13, 2021
Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion at Selhurst Park stadium in London, England, Saturday, March 13, 2021.(Mike Hewitt/Pool via AP)
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha did not take a knee before Saturday's match against West Bromwich Albion, becoming the first Premier League player to refuse to partake in the ongoing demonstrations against racism.
Zaha, who is Black, has spoken out against the form of protest in the past, saying it is "degrading" and does not help move forward anti-racism causes. A statement was released shortly ahead of his team's 1-0 win Saturday, saying players continue to receive abuse despite the kneeling.
"My decision to stand at kick-off has been public knowledge for a couple of weeks now. There is no right or wrong decision, but for me personally I feel kneeling has just become a part of the pre-match routine and at the moment it doesn’t matter whether we kneel or stand, some of us still continue to receive abuse.
"I know there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes at the Premier League and other authorities to make change, and I fully respect that, and everyone involved. I also fully respect my teammates and players at other clubs who continue to take the knee.
"As a society, I feel we should be encouraging better education in schools, and social media companies should be taking stronger action against people who abuse others online - not just footballers.
"I now just want to focus on football and enjoy being back playing on the pitch. I will continue to stand tall."
Premier League players and officials have been kneeling before matches to protest against racism dating back to last season, after the league paused during the UK's national lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters said players will continue kneeling for the remainder of the season, but no punishment will be levied for players who choose not to participate.
"It is a big statement, it was player-led. We spent a lot of time talking to players. It was an emotional time during the pandemic," Masters toldSky Sports in an interview published Saturday.
12-Year-Old Arrested for Racist Messages Sent to Wilfried Zaha on Instagram
Jul 12, 2020
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Peter Cziborra/Pool via Getty Images)
West Midlands Police arrested a 12-year-old boy Sunday after he sent a series of racist messages and images to Crystal Palace's star winger Wilfried Zaha on social media, per ESPN.
#ARRESTED| We were alerted to a series of racist messages sent to a footballer today and after looking into them and conducting checks, we have arrested a boy.
The 12-year-old from #Solihull has been taken to custody.
The messages came before Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. Both sides took a knee before the match began in support of the Black Lives Matter movement—as all Premier League sides have been doing since the league restarted in June—and both clubs released statements condemning the racist messages sent to Zaha:
We deplore the disgusting racist messages sent to @wilfriedzaha. We condemn all forms of racial discrimination and stand with @CPFC.
We are working with the police in investigating this extremely serious matter and when the culprit is identified AVFC will issue a lifetime ban. https://t.co/Wx5wJVA1ww
We will continue to support players, managers, coaches and their family members who receive serious discriminatory online abuse. Through our dedicated reporting system we can take immediate action on cases like this
"It is very saddening on the day of a game that a player wakes up to this cowardly and despicable abuse," Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said, per Sky Sports. "I think it is right that Wilf made people aware of it; I don't think it is something he should keep quiet about. ... There is literally no excuse [for the racist messages]; there is no excuse at all."
Other clubs and former footballers also offered their support for Zaha:
We strongly support and stand with Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha who was subjected to racial abuse on social media.
People like to make these experiences seem like it's not the norm for black people. It's always an outlier. "Not one of us". "Not a real (insert club) fan".These are real people & daily experiences!! Sooner we accept it the better we can deal with it!!! We stand with you Wilf ✊🏾
Zaha started Sunday's game from his usual spot on the wing. In 35 total appearances this season (34 starts), he's posted four goals and three assists.
Roy Hodgson Says Wilfried Zaha 'Is Not for Sale' amid Chelsea Rumours
Dec 31, 2019
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace looks on during warm ups ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has said the club do not want to sell Wilfried Zaha ahead of the January transfer window.
According to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mail, Chelsea are interested in the winger, who is valued at £80 million by the Eagles. Zaha handed in a transfer request in the summer amid interest from Arsenal and Everton, but neither club were willing to meet Palace's demands.
"Wilfried Zaha is not for sale so I don't need any assurances [from the board]. We are not trying to sell Wilfried Zaha. We want to keep Wilfried Zaha.
"But what assurances can people give? I suppose I have the assurance there is no-one at the club anxious to sell Wilfried Zaha.
"Of course, you never know where bids are going to come from and I suppose every time there is a serious bid for one of your players the board of directors need to take it seriously."
Chelsea wingers Pedro and Willian are both out of contract at the end of the campaign, so bringing in a new wide player to compete with Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi in 2020 would be a logical move.
In terms of dribbling, only former Blues star Eden Hazard could match Zaha when it comes to beating Premier League defenders in recent years:
His pace and skill on the ball have made him Crystal Palace's primary attacking threat, he draws a great many fouls, and he's often the difference-maker for the team:
The 27-year-old has scored just three goals this season as well as contributing just two assists.
At Chelsea, he'd be expected to contribute a great deal more than that, particularly if the club pay the kind of fee Palace want for him.
It's not easy for him to be much more productive at Palace, though. Hodgson's Eagles are a defensive side who don't enjoy much possession or create much going forward—only Watford have scored fewer than their 18 goals this season—so Zaha is often an isolated figure left to do everything on his own.
Surrounded by better players in a more attacking team like Chelsea's, it's likely he'd be more prolific with goals and assists.
Zaha is the Eagles' most important player, and he's contracted at Selhurst Park until 2023. Palace are under little pressure to part with him in the middle of the season, so it will be difficult to negotiate a lower price for him.
Wilfried Zaha Was 'All over the Place' After Arsenal, Everton Transfer Rumours
Oct 8, 2019
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at London Stadium on October 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has said he was "all over the place" at the start of the season after speculation regarding a possible transfer.
Arsenal were linked with a possible move for the Ivory Coast international during pre-season, although it was Everton that appeared most likely to sign the Eagles star towards the end of the transfer window.
Speaking to BBC Africa, Zaha said he tried to keep focused ahead of the new season, but it wasn't always easy:
"I had to put my head down and play my football. I would have been hindering my own progress by moaning and not wanting to perform properly.
"I have too much respect for my manager, the fans and my team-mates to treat them that way. It was a thing where 'OK, this hasn't happened, but I've got to get on with it.'"
"I've got to prove every time that I'm the top player I claim to be, so I had to get over that quickly. Obviously my head was a bit all over the place at the beginning of the season, but I had to nail down and just get on with it because the team deserved that."
According to Paul Joyce of TheTimes, Zaha submitted a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to the Toffees, but Everton didn't manage to meet Palace's valuation of the player. BBC noted that the Eagles value their star man in the region of £80 million.
While that's an enormous figure, it's indicative of how important Zaha has been to Palace in recent seasons. Per WhoScored.com, when he's on the ball, he's one of the most difficult players in the division to defend against:
Wilfried Zaha: Only Eden Hazard (137) completed more dribbles than @wilfriedzaha (114) in the Premier League last season
This season, Zaha hasn't quite hit top gear. As football writer Peter Hall noted, manager Roy Hodgson will be pleased his team have still been able to get results without their key attacker firing:
The maddest thing about Palace’s start to the season is how Wilf Zaha has had next to no say in any of their four wins
Even so, over the course of the campaign you sense Zaha will resume his position as the crucial player at Selhurst Park.
Zaha is electric in transition, able to carry the ball through the phases on the counter and commit opposition players. Last season he chipped in with 10 goals and five assists in the top flight.
Off the field, he has also done plenty to endear himself to others, as ESPN UK relayed:
Arsenal eventually strengthened their attack with Nicolas Pepe, although he's struggled to make an impact since joining from Lille. Everton, who have endured a torrid start to the Premier League season, brought in Alex Iwobi from the Gunners.
Speculation surrounding Zaha is likely to continue, as he boasts the attributes needed to play for an elite side. However, with Palace sitting in sixth position in the Premier League after an impressive start to the campaign, they will surely be reluctant to cash in on their best player.
Crystal Palace Sign Former Chelsea Defender Gary Cahill to 2-Year Contract
Aug 5, 2019
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - MAY 29: Gary Cahill of Chelsea with his winners medal after winning the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Per the club'sofficial website, Cahill said he hopes to continue his career as long as possible:
"I'm glad to be here, I think it's a good opportunity for me to continue my career in the Premier League, and to play in a good, exciting team. There are some very exciting, talented players here. I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm hungry to prolong my career as long as I possibly can – I feel like I'm in great shape and whoever I play for, I'd like to think that I give it 110 percent and leave everything out there - so hopefully that will be good enough for the manager, my team-mates and also the fans."
Sports writer Matt Law believes the central defender's signing presents quite the catch for the Eagles:
At different times this summer, Burnley, West Ham and Aston Villa all showed an interest in Cahill. So Palace have beaten significant opposition. Roy Hodgson has played a key part
The 33-year-old played for the Blues between 2012 and 2019, winning two Premier League titles and the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League. His playing time declined drastically last season, however, as he didn't make a single league start under then-manager Maurizio Sarri.
Per ESPN FC'sLiam Twomey, the Italian said he didn't fit his style of play, and while he wouldn't decide his future, there were few minutes for the Englishman.
The former England defender, capped 61 times, started 24 Premier League matches as recently as the 2017-18 campaign, so there's reason to believe he is far from done at the highest level.
He should combine well with Mamadou Sakho at the heart of Palace's defence, giving the Eagles ample experience inside the box. Cahill's leadership could also be key for a team looking to improve on last year's 12th-placed finish; he captained Chelsea in 2017-18.
Roy Hodgson Discusses Wilfried Zaha's Future Amid Arsenal and Everton Rumours
Jul 27, 2019
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace (R) and Roy Hodgson, Manager of Crystal Palace speak ahead of the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Crystal Palace at John Smith's Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson doesn't have answers about the future of winger Wilfried Zaha, who has been heavily linked with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Everton during this summer's transfer window.
Eagles manager Hodgson spoke to Sky Sports (h/t Goal's Chris Burton) after watching his team beat Championship side Bristol City 5-0 in a preseason friendly on Saturday:
"He's dealing with the chairman (Steve Parish). The chairman's his link, they know each other very well and get on very well. Most of what's going on with Wilf is going on between him and the chairman and I can't enlighten you at all.
"What I know, you know. I know it through reading your websites and newspapers that this or that is happening, but I can't enlighten you at all."
Hodgson answered "I don't know" when asked directly if Everton have bid for Zaha. The Toffees were said to have recently offered £60 million and forward Cenk Tosun, according to Matt Law of The Daily Telegraph.
Zaha has also been the subject of a £40 million bid from Arsenal earlier this summer.
Arsenal make £40m bid for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha. Zaha wants to move to Arsenal
The Eagles have stayed steadfast on their valuation of £80 million, though. Their defiance has led Arsenal in a different direction, with the north London club reportedly closing in on a deal for Lille's Nicolas Pepe.
BBC Sport's David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian provided details of Arsenal's pursuit of Zaha's Ivory Coast team-mate:
Arsenal have reached an agreement with Lille to sign Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe for ~€80m, paid by instalments to fit #AFC budget. 5yr deal, agent agreement still needed but set to be closed in next 24/48hrs. Napoli also have agreement with #LOSC but agent rejected proposal
#Arsenal more about Pépé: no problem for the total agreement between clubs (€80M + add ons), talks ongoing with the player to complete personal terms. Arsenal are confident about the deal. Everything confirmed 😉⚪️🔴 #AFC#Arsenal#transfers
Pepe helped himself to 22 goals and 11 assists last season; Zaha had 10 goals and five assists for Palace during the 2018/19 campaign. Ornstein told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport that securing Pepe's signature will end Arsenal's interest in Zaha:
"Aubameyang and Lacazette will not be leaving Arsenal to help finance this deal"
Along with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Theo Walcott, the 19-year-old would leave Everton amply stocked with versatile attackers.
A lack of exit options may convince Zaha to remain at Selhurst Park. Hodgson will hope so because Zaha remains the best player in his squad and will be key to the Eagles staying in England's top flight.
Keeping Zaha would be a coup for Palace, one bigger than any signing Hodgson could make this summer. The player may be ready to move on, but his options appear to be dwindling.
Roy Hodgson Wants Michy Batshuayi Stay; Striker Has Not Discussed Chelsea Future
May 14, 2019
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Michy Batshuayi of Crystal Palace celebrate after scoring 1st goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on May 12, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said he would like Michy Batshuayi to return to the club for next season, but the striker has not talked to Chelsea yet.
Batshuayi spent the second half of the campaign on loan from the Blues at Selhurst Park, scoring six goals in 13 appearances.
Per Goal's Chris Burton, Hodgson said Palace don't know if Chelsea's impending two-window transfer ban might affect the Eagles' chances of landing Batshuayi, but added:
"All I know is if Michy Batshuayi is going to be available and if our club could bring him here; either on-loan or buying him I would be very happy with that and I know Michy himself would be happy.
"When players belong to another club you can say 'we would like him' but then there has to be an agreement struck between the two clubs."
The Belgian scored twice for Palace as they beat Bournemouth 5-3 on Sunday.
He said afterward he enjoyed his loan spell at the club: "I am very happy because I had never scored here at this stadium [Selhurst Park]. It was my first goals at Crystal Palace's stadium. Of course, I am very happy to have come here, it has been a good experience."
Asked if he had spoken to Chelsea regarding his future at Stamford Bridge, he said: "No. I will go back to Chelsea to decide, but at the moment I do not know more."
Goals have not come easy for the Blues this season, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella:
Chelsea scored the fewest goals out of the 'big six' in England even though they had the second most shots in the league. A conversion rate of 10.38% sits them 11th in out of all Premier League teams... something the club needs to work on. #CFC
Alvaro Morata was sent on an 18-month loan to Atletico Madrid in January, while Chelsea brought in Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus. It is thought Higuain's six-month loan can be extended by a year despite the transfer ban, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe.
However, after he scored five goals in 18 appearances and failed to impress at Stamford Bridge, keeping him might not be wise.
Chelsea author Mark Worrall was critical of him when he missed a simple chance in the Blues' 0-0 draw with Leicester City on Sunday:
Every Premier League game has a goal in it apart from the one involving Gonzalo Higuain... Coincidence? I think not.
That's where Batshuayi could come in. Despite starting just 18 matches for Chelsea, he has 19 goals for the club, and he impressed on loan with Borussia Dortmund in the latter half of last season with nine goals in 14 appearances.
Chelsea will also have Tammy Abraham returning this summer from a loan spell with Aston Villa. The 21-year-old has 26 goals for Villa this season, the same tally he achieved with Bristol City in the 2016-17 campaign.
Last season, he grabbed eight in 39 games in all competitions for Swansea City while they were in the Premier League, and after another season of first-team football in the Championship, he could be ready for another chance in the top flight.
Either Abraham or Batshuayi would seem a stronger option than Higuain, while keeping both would give Chelsea more options alongside Olivier Giroud.
If the Blues are prepared to let Batshuayi leave, he'd be a strong permanent acquisition for Palace, where he'd likely be willing to return having enjoyed his time there.
Wilfried Zaha, Aaron Wan-Bissaka 'Have a Price,' Admits Roy Hodgson
Apr 2, 2019
Crystal Palace's Ivorian striker Wilfried Zaha (L) celebrates with Crystal Palace's English midfielder Aaron Wan-Bissaka (R) after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park in south London on February 9, 2019. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said the Eagles have no interest in selling prized duo Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka but admitted the club has to be realistic and every player has his price, amid links with Manchester United and Manchester City.
Per Ed Malyon of the Independent, Hodgson noted both have long-term contracts, strengthening Palace's position, but admitted incoming offers will be assessed:
"The good thing for me is one has a five-year contract (Zaha) and one has a four-year contract (Wan-Bissaka).
"The club is certainly in no way advertising them or promoting them as saleable objects. We would be more than happy to keep them.
"But we just have to remain realistic and see what happens. If offers come in they will obviously be assessed, like everything else.
"As I heard Manuel Pellegrini quite rightly say the other day [when discussing Declan Rice's future]: every footballer player does have a price."
According to Malyon, Wan-Bissaka has become the team's most wanted man, with both United and City keen on his services. He linked Zaha to Borussia Dortmund, who see him as a possible Jadon Sancho replacement, but the Manchester Evening News reported the Red Devils are also keeping their eye on him:
Crystal Palace issue Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Wilfried Zaha transfer updates amid Manchester United links #mufchttps://t.co/xPIKF8SHxZ
Zaha joined the Eagles from United after failing to make the grade at Old Trafford, but he has realised his potential since then, becoming one of the Premier League's most exciting wingers.
His tremendous blend of technical ability and speed would be a welcome addition at his former club, who have been hamstrung by the lack of a natural winger in the squad throughout the season.
While the 26-year-old will undoubtedly be a wanted man in the summer, it's Wan-Bissaka who has emerged as the top prize at Selhurst Park. The youngster has been collecting silverware for his fine performances:
👏 You’ve voted Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Player of the Month for March.
Formerly an attacker, the 21-year-old has become one of the most promising right-backs in the sport, courtesy of his well-rounded skill set and impressive vision.
His attacking contributions are excellent, which isn't surprising considering his past as a winger, but he's also a defensive standout:
He signed an extension in August and isn't expected to push for a transfer in the summer, but interested clubs may make an offer to Palace that is just too good to pass up. United, in particular, could use his services, as they seek an upgrade over Antonio Valencia.
