'FIFA' player's sexist online past comes back to haunt him

Don't tweet out stupid things.
 By 
Kellen Beck
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

When you say stupid things on the internet, there's always a chance that it could come back to haunt you.

Two days after Dutch professional soccer club PSV Eindhoven signed FIFA esports player Tony Kok to compete under its name, PSV dropped him. Never tweet.

PSV announced that it broke its contract with Kok Sunday, noting that Kok's management failed to share with them some of the sexist, lewd, and generally unsavory things that Kok has posted on Twitter in the past. PSV had only just announced Kok's signing on Friday.

The offending tweets, all of which have been scrubbed from Kok's account, were collected by the Dutch site SoccerNews. Putting them through Google Translate reveals some lewd and sexist remarks about women, a reference to drug use, unsavory descriptions of multiple things and people, and his support for a rival Dutch soccer club Ajax.

Kok has removed all the tweets from his account, tweeting today for the first time since being released, using the hashtag "NeverGiveUp" alongside a screenshot of his FIFA rank.

In response to PSV's announcement of the contract break, Kok's management told AD that the offending tweets were already deleted but were recovered in a "smear campaign" against Kok. Kok's management said Kok is a talented, nice guy, but admits that he is responsible for the things he said.

This isn't the first time past tweets have resulted in a punishment for a player in esports. A successful Madden player was fined after the game's publisher EA found out he had tweeted some racist remarks, which he later deleted.

The lesson here is, basically, don't be a horrible person.

H/T Kotaku

Topics Esports Gaming

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Kellen Beck

Kellen is a science reporter at Mashable, covering space, environmentalism, sustainability, and future tech. Previously, Kellen has covered entertainment, gaming, esports, and consumer tech at Mashable. Follow him on Twitter @Kellenbeck

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