"Many had been introduced to Spurs through Son Heung-min, the beloved South Korean superstar. When Son was appointed captain in 2023 he became the first Asian player to lead a Premier League team, a boost not only for his already significant profile but that of Tottenham. For more than a decade, he brought a flow of Asian fans to Spurs matches."
"Who gets to be a fan in English football, to fully participate in club culture, to feel they are part of a club? Son made a lot of people feel they could. When Sun moved to London three years ago for university, he told his girlfriend he wanted them to go to football and get behind a club, to participate in English culture and help them integrate. Tottenham were the clear choice."
Asian fans have formed a growing presence at Tottenham matches, often drawn by Son Heung-min's prominence and historic captaincy. Son's appointment in 2023 as the first Asian Premier League captain and Europa League success boosted both his profile and Tottenham's appeal across Asia. Many Asian supporters continue attending despite his transfer to Los Angeles FC, viewing themselves as lifelong Spurs fans. A pair of Asian fans experienced verbal abuse from opposing supporters while visibly supporting Spurs, prompting questions about differential targeting and stereotypes that portray Asian fans as passive or bandwagon supporters. Football fandom and inclusivity remain contested spaces, with representation inspiring participation but not fully preventing discrimination.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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