Arsenal are investigating social media posts sent to Kai Havertz’s wife amid the club’s FA Cup third-round defeat by Manchester United.
Havertz missed a penalty in Arsenal’s shootout defeat at the Emirates before his wife, Sophia, who is expecting her first child with the Germany international, reposted two abhorrent messages she had received on Instagram. She described one message as “shocking” and urged her 540,000 followers to be “more respectful”.
The data technology company Signify is understood to have been tasked by Arsenal with determining the identity of the abusers. The investigation could then enable the club to report the perpetrators to the police and the accounts will be flagged up to Instagram. PA Media understands Instagram has removed the abusive content for violating its policies.
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Havertz is set to be back in the spotlight on Wednesday when Arsenal host Tottenham. Before his penalty miss the 25-year-old failed to convert two good chances to settle the tie.
