Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has revealed his mother’s reaction after he suffered racist abuse following his penalty miss in the Uefa Super Cup final.
Abraham missed the decisive penalty in the shootout to give Liverpool victory in Istanbul last month and was then subjected to abuse on social media.
The 21-year-old has since gone on to score four goals in the Premier League but has now said that his mother was reduced to tears by the racist abuse he received
“I remember speaking to my mum, she was emotional, she was in tears,” 21-year-old Abraham told CNN.
“It’s obviously not nice, seeing your son getting abused. My mum was just thinking, ‘Why him?’
“For me, I am a strong character, it doesn’t affect me as much, but it could affect people who don’t have my personality.
“I was sat in the changing room straight after the game and went on my phone. I wasn’t going to shy away from the situation, although I did have some supportive messages. The other side is not nice to hear.
“I went through a lot of emotion after the penalty miss. I had experience of taking penalties last season, big ones as well. Everyone misses penalties. To miss the penalty… I was devastated and I had a lot of abuse after.”
Abraham, who has made two international appearances for England, praised the support he has received from his club, his team-mates, and his manager.
“Frank Lampard always had his arm around my shoulder lifting me up, the boys as well, it was like I never missed with the way they supported me and lifted me up – that is exactly what I needed,” added Abraham.
Abraham will want to continue his scoring form when Chelsea travel to Wolves after the International break.