Ex-Southampton winger Eljero Elia reveals his disgust at being called a ‘dirty cancer monkey’ on Twitter as he opens up on vile racist abuse he received after completing move to Utrecht… including threats against his children
- Eljero Elia has spoken out on the racist abuse he has received on social media
- The ex-Southampton winger was branded a ‘dirty cancer monkey’ on Twitter
- Having just completed a move to Utrecht in Holland, Elia was targeted online
- The post, written in Dutch, also threatened to set fire to 33-year-old’s children
- The post has since been removed and the person’s account has been suspended
Former Southampton winger Eljero Elia has spoken of his anger at being branded a ‘dirty cancer monkey’ on social media.
Elia, who made 15 appearances for the Saints during a loan spell in 2015, has just completed a move to Utrecht from Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.
But his return to Holland was overshadowed after being targeted for sickening racial abuse on Twitter.
Eljero Elia has spoken out on the vile racist abuse he has received on social media
The post, written in Dutch, called the 33-year-old winger a ‘dirty cancer monkey’ while the Tweet also threatened to set fire to Elia’s children.
It is understood the post was made a by a Twente Enschede supporter, the club Elia turned down to join Utercht.
The post has since been removed and the person’s account has been suspended, while Elia has reported the issue to Dutch police.
And Elia has spoken of the ordeal – calling the disgusting remarks ‘crazy and ridiculous’
Elia (left) has just completed a move to Utrecht from Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir
‘I was in a big shock when I saw the tweet,’ he said.
‘The tweet was open, readable for everyone. But immediately I thought this is the limit for me. I have done together with my club a complaint at the police.
‘The racism and threats towards me are also crazy and ridiculous for words, but actually don’t even affect me anymore. It’s painful but true.
‘However, when people come to my children, a line has been crossed for me. I’m furious about this.
‘We cannot tolerate it. Let this now be a wake-up call for all people who say that racism does not occur in the Netherlands.
‘I can outline the reactions after this story; that this is one crazy person. However, my direct messages contain shocking messages also.
The 33-year-old made 15 appearances for Southampton during a loan spell in 2015
‘Sometimes when I read the messages, I see a profile picture of a father with his children, I can’t always resist responding.
‘However pointless it may be, you try to talk to such sick people in the world. People are unfortunately familiar with racism from home, because no one is born a racist.
‘For now I filed the report and want to forget this quickly, enjoy football and make the world happy with my feet.’