Norwegian Forward Alexander Sørloth Faces Death Threats After World Cup Exit

Following Norway's 2-1 extra-time loss to England in the World Cup round of 16, Norwegian national team forward Alexander Sørloth has been targeted with severe online abuse and death threats. The controversy centers on a key moment in the 43rd minute when Norway led 1-0 and Sørloth hesitated during a two-on-one counterattack instead of passing to teammate Erling Haaland, resulting in a lost opportunity. England equalized shortly after and scored the winning goal in extra time, eliminating Norway from the tournament.

Sørloth's partner, Lena Selnes, shared some of the disturbing messages sent to Sørloth and his family, including threats such as "I hope they kill you," "Don't ever play football again," "You have become the most hated man in Norway, maybe even the world," "Please kill yourself," and explicit death threats like "I am going to kill him." Selnes urged people to think before posting hateful comments, emphasizing the harm caused by such messages.

Norway's coach, Ståle Solbakken, also addressed the issue, recommending players avoid social media during emotionally charged times to protect their mental well-being. The incident highlights the darker side of fan reactions following high-stakes sports defeats and raises concerns about player safety and online harassment.

The Norwegian team’s World Cup journey ended abruptly, and the backlash against Sørloth has sparked a broader conversation about the impact of social media abuse on athletes. No further actions or investigations were detailed at this time.