Basic humanity is missing in social media free-for-alls that beset football | David Hytner
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Depressing abuse suffered by Kai Havertz, his wife, and Tamworth’s Chris Wreh is representative of wider problem. Kai Havertz was braced for the criticism from the pundits, starting with those on TV and extending to the army of them in the pubs and front rooms across the United Kingdom; across the world, really. Like most footballers, the Arsenal forward accepts it. He knows that he belongs to a performance culture, even if it grates when the former professionals who have previously worn the shirt pile in with stuff that is surely a little too constructive. Where is the line? It is the question that pounds.
![[David Hytner]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2018/01/10/David_Hytner,_L.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
It would be crossed grievously after Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat by Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Havertz had suffered, missing two clear chances and the decisive kick in the penalty shootout. He had also won a controversial penalty during normal time, which was missed by his teammate Martin Ødegaard and surely provoked United’s official X account into tweeting about “justice” when it was all over. That went into the mix, too.
![[Chris Wreh and Radu Dragusin compete for the ball.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/12c545abae0e46e6ca771713a22bdc313b396864/0_233_3500_2100/master/3500.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Like most footballers, Havertz can handle the abuse when it comes directly for him, however abhorrent it is – or, at least, he says he can. He has developed the ability to compartmentalise. But now it came for his wife, Sophia, who is pregnant with their first child. This was another level, a different emotional challenge.
![[Harry Maguire]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/50d24fec9bdb4ccea3d523bf81ad2d24f1e90e99/0_232_3478_2087/master/3478.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Sophia would post screenshots of two messages sent to her on Instagram. The first said they intended to “slaughter” her unborn baby. The second said they hoped she had a miscarriage. There were others. It is known that some of the messages came from Arsenal fans – if the people who sank to such depths can be included as such. Any season-ticket holders or members will have their tickets and privileges revoked.
