Distance from hate messages – F.C. Copenhagen stands behind Kotarski
Since Wednesday’s Champions League victory over FC Kairat Almaty at Parken, F.C. Copenhagen’s goalkeeper, Dominik Kotarski, has received severe, hateful messages and comments on social media.
The direct messages include, among other things, death threats directed at Dominik Kotarski himself, his family, his pregnant wife, and their unborn child.
Material handed over to the police
This is completely and utterly unacceptable, and F.C. Copenhagen is therefore supporting Dominik and his family, while the club reviews all the material and hands it over to the police.
Dominik is a man we respect and care about – both as a player and as a person. The club stands 100 percent behind him, and we are providing all necessary support to Dominik and his family, including legal assistance.
F.C. Copenhagen strongly distances itself from any form of malicious behaviour. We cannot in any way accept that one of our players is subjected to such attacks. No one should fear for their safety because of their work, and that is why we are now in close dialogue with the relevant authorities.
We all have a responsibility for football’s discourse
Football has an incredible ability to bring us all together, and there is room for passion and emotion, opinion and criticism. But this comes with a special responsibility. We all have an obligation to safeguard the tone within football.
Whether it is statements and chants from the stands, on social media, or in the street, the line is crossed when it turns into hate messages, threats, and inappropriate comments. It is unacceptable to express oneself at the expense of respect for the individual. We therefore appeal to everyone around football to be mindful of this responsibility. Personal attacks must never become the norm – neither in speech nor in writing.
We stand together with Dominik Kotarski – now and in the future.