Fulham’s FA Cup fifth-round victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford should have been a night of celebration for Calvin Bassey.
Instead, the Nigerian defender became the target of disgraceful cyberbullying from furious United fans who took to social media to hurl abuse at him after his match-winning performance.
Calvin Bassey Led Manchester United’s FACup Elimination
The 24-year-old defender was instrumental in Fulham’s shock elimination of the reigning FA Cup champions on Sunday, scoring the opening goal in the 1-1 draw before the Cottagers sealed a dramatic 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout.
His towering header from an Andreas Pereira corner just before halftime silenced the Old Trafford crowd and put Fulham in control.
United fought back, with Bruno Fernandes equalizing in the second half, but Bassey and the Fulham defense held firm, forcing the match into extra time and eventually penalties.
Goalkeeper Bernd Leno emerged as the hero with crucial saves in the shootout, securing Fulham’s place in the quarterfinals and sending Erik ten Hag’s side crashing out.
However, what should have been a proud moment for Bassey quickly turned into an onslaught of online abuse. Furious Manchester United fans flooded his social media accounts with vile messages, blaming him for their team’s elimination.
Some resorted to racist remarks, while others accused him of “killing the magic of the FA Cup” by playing a key role in United’s downfall.
Fulham, along with several football bodies, are expected to release statements condemning the abuse.
This isn’t the first time a player has faced such treatment after a high-profile game, and Bassey’s case highlights the darker side of football fandom—where frustration and disappointment morph into unacceptable harassment.
Despite the negativity, Bassey remains focused on helping Fulham continue their impressive FA Cup run, proving that resilience on and off the pitch is what truly defines a champion.
What’s Next for Fulham?
With Fulham now set for a quarterfinal clash against Crystal Palace, all eyes will be on Calvin Bassey to see if he can once again defy the odds—this time, rising above both the competition and the cowardly hate thrown his way online.
