Police have arrested a teenager on suspicion of sending online abuse to Arsenal forward Kai Havertz’s pregnant wife.
Hertfordshire Police said on Tuesday that “a 17-year-old-boy from St Albans has been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications”.
The boy, whose identity is protected by law as a minor, has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Police launched an investigation last week after Sophia Havertz, who is expecting a child with the Germany international, shared screenshots of abusive messages she had been sent after Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round defeat to Manchester United on January 12.
Havertz, 25, had his spot-kick saved by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as Arsenal lost 5-3 on penalties after the cup tie had finished 1-1 in normal time.
The messages, which were sent via Instagram, included threats to the couple’s unborn child.
“For anyone to think it’s okay to write something like this is so shocking to me. I hope you are so ashamed of yourself,” Sophia wrote in response.
Instagram has since removed the messages for breaching its community guidelines.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta later said there could be “terrible consequences” unless social media platforms like Instagram do more to “eradicate” incidents of online…
