A 17-year-old boy from St Albans has been arrested for allegedly sending threatening online messages to Arsenal striker Kai Havertz and his pregnant wife Sophia following Arsenal's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.
The teenager was taken into custody on suspicion of malicious communications and has been released on bail as Hertfordshire Police continue their investigation into the incident.
The abuse came after Arsenal's elimination from the FA Cup earlier this month, where Havertz, 25, missed a crucial opportunity to win the match in regular time and subsequently had his penalty saved by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir in the shootout. Manchester United ultimately prevailed 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Sophia Havertz, who announced her pregnancy in November, shared screenshots on her Instagram story revealing direct messages she had received, including disturbing threats directed at their unborn child. In response to the abusive messages, she stated that the perpetrator should be "ashamed" of themselves.
The incident has prompted Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to speak out against online abuse, emphasizing that such behavior has "terrible consequences" and needs to be "eradicated from the game." The Havertz couple, who have been together since 2018 and married last year, have received support from the football community following the incident.
This arrest highlights the ongoing issue of online abuse in football and the real-world consequences for those who engage in such behavior, particularly when targeting players and their families.
