Following the Merseyside derby, Samantha, the wife of James Tarkowski, released a statement denouncing the “vile” insults aimed at her family. During Wednesday night’s 1-0 loss to the Premier League champions-elect, the Everton skipper was the centre of debate.
The 32-year-old gave Alexis Mac Allister a full-blooded battle in the first half. His high, studs-up challenge caught the Liverpool midfielder as well, even though he made touch with the ball. This led many commentators and spectators to call it a possible leg-breaker and one of the most egregious red card infractions in recent memory. Tarkowski later got involved once more in the second half, unintentionally rerouting the ball into Diogo Jota’s path, who then scored Liverpool’s game-winning goal.
The question of whether Luis Díaz, who was offside behind Tarkowski, disrupted play and affected the goal’s outcome is still up for debate. Even though the defender apologised to Mac Allister following the game, feelings are still high, and Tarkowski’s wife has now turned to social media to expose some of the offensive remarks her husband has received.
In the face of ‘vile’ abuse, Tarkowski’s wife makes a statement
Disgusting overreactions have been directed at the Everton defender.
Tarkowski’s wife posted on Instagram, “I wasn’t actually going to say anything because we usually just laugh if off but f*** it.” She went on (see Tarkowski’s interview after the game below):
The amount of abuse my husband is subjected to—such as death threats and derogatory remarks about me, our relationship, and him personally—is abhorrent. He is more than just a football player, but people seem to forget that. In addition to being our husband, he is also our father, brother, friend, and—above all—the father of our two kids.
“Despite the fact that he performs his work really effectively, he nonetheless faces a great deal of hatred. Are you serious, those who act as though he intentionally set out to harm someone? Football is a fast-paced sport where tackles are made in a split second. Do you believe any player would feel good about hurting someone? No player goes out there to do that.
“But the threats, the plain s*** messages? That’s deliberate. You’re to blame for that. It is shameful how some so-called ‘fans’ act, even if football is a sport. The threats and abuse are pitiful and lack passion. We are actual people, and this is not just about football.
1 Since joining Everton in 2022 under former Burnley manager Sean Dyche, Tarkowski has gone through highs, lows, and everything in between in the last seven weeks alone. His late equaliser in the last encounter will go down in history as the last derby goal ever scored at Goodison Park.
The Englishman faced a completely different set of challenges during Wednesday night’s intense match, though, as everything he appeared to do was watched closely at Anfield. However, it was the Toffees’ first road loss since David Moyes’ second arrival and their first loss in ten games, demonstrating that the only way is up before their house-warming party at Bramley Moore Docks in the summer.
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