Joachim Andersen, a defender for Crystal Palace, has informed the police about numerous abusive messages he received on Instagram.
The Danish international received a barrage of angry messages for his role in Darwin Nunez’s dismissal during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Palace at Anfield.
Following an altercation between the two in the penalty area, Uruguayan striker Nunez, who was playing at home for the first time, was dismissed by referee Paul Tierney after headbutting Andersen. Before the incident in the penalty area, the 26-year-old had been bugging the Liverpool striker for the majority of the evening. Nunez appeared to be upset that Andersen had shoved him before a cross was delivered.
In an Instagram post, Andersen provided some examples of the messages he had received.
“Got maybe 3-400 of these messages last night. I understand you support a team but have some respect and stop act tough online.
“Hope Instagram and the Premier League do something about this,” he added.
According to BBC Sport, Andersen has now reported the messages to the police through Palace’s police liaison officers. A Premier League representative concurred that the league had spoken with the team.
Speaking about the incident with Nunez, Andersen said in interview: “The whole game I sat really close to him, I annoyed him a lot and did well against him. I think that’s why he was angry with me.
“He headbutted me, the first one, at a cross, and I told him he shouldn’t do that. I was angry with him. Then he did it again which is, for me, is really stupid, so it’s a clear red card.”
Nunez will serve at least a three-game suspension after being dismissed; this was the first violent conduct red card given out at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp’s leadership.
