James Tarkowski's wife has slammed the "disgusting" trolls for "wishing death" on the Everton star over his foul on Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister.
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Tarkowski avoids red for Mac Allister foulEverton man sent death threats onlineWife Samantha slams "disgusting trolls"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
During Everton's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday, Tarkowski escaped a red card for a reckless tackle on Mac Allister – something he later apologised for. In the aftermath, his wife Samantha revealed the 32-year-old has been subjected to death threats, saying these "pathetic" acts go "far beyond football".
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She wrote in an Instagram story: "I wasn't actually going to say anything because we usually just laugh if off but f*** it. The level of abuse my husband is receiving – wishing death on him, vile comments about me, about us as a couple, and about him as a person – is beyond disgusting. People forget that he is more than just a footballer. He is a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, and most importantly, the father of our two children. He goes out there and does his job and does it very f****** well yet he's subjected to so much hate. For those acting like he deliberately set out to hurt someone – are you serious?! Football moves at speed, and tackles are split-second decisions. No player goes out there to injure someone and do you think any player would feel good about it if they did? But the pure s*** messages, the threats? That's intentional. That's on you. Football is a sport, but the way some so-called 'fans' behave is disgraceful. The abuse, the threats – it's not passion, it's pathetic. We're real people, and this goes far beyond football."
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Tarkowski admitted his high challenge on the Argentine was "not a great one from me", with the PGMOL later admitting the centre-back should have been sent off for the foul. While the ex-Burnley man was in the wrong, nobody should be subjected to that sort of abuse.
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Tarkowski is likely to return to action on Saturday when Everton host Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal at Goodison Park.