Southampton manager Russell Martin defends Jack Stephens and reveals his personal loss amid Social Media Storm (after Chelsea loss)
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Russell Martin Manager
In the context of discussing the personal abuse faced by Jack Stephens following his second red card of the season in a 5-1 defeat against Chelsea, Southampton’s manager, Russell Martin, talked about Stephens’ situation and his recent personal loss. Stephens, 30, had deleted his online presence after the match. Martin revealed that Stephens had suffered the bereavement of “somebody dear to him” in the build-up to the match and attended a funeral on Thursday. Martin reflected on the abuse players sometimes face.
Russell Martin said “I don’t think it ever should cross the line to personal abuse. I don’t know how you can abuse someone as a person when you just don’t know them.”
Martin further commented on the potential for abuse on social media, noting its impact on players.
Russell Martin said “Unless you know someone then I don’t understand how you can be critical so I hope it hasn’t gone into that. I’m sure people will be frustrated by Wednesday. I hope it hasn’t got personal although I’m sure on social media and in the cesspit of X or Twitter whatever it’s called now there will be some. But I think Jack is big enough and old enough to understand the reality of what that actually means, which is very little.”
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