Man, 42, handed restraining order after stalking Marie Hobinger | OneFootball

A man has been handed a restraining order after stalking Liverpool’s Marie Hobinger (right)

A man has been handed a two-year restraining order and sentenced to 18 months of community service for stalking Liverpool player Marie Hobinger.

Marie Hobinger received inappropriate and sexually explicit messages

Mangal Dalal, 42, of Hyde Park Gardens in Westminster, London, sent repeated messages to Marie Hobinger on Instagram between January 27th, 2025, and February 16th, 2025.

As reported by The Athletic, prosecutor David Burns said Dalal used two accounts to contact Hobinger, 24.

He sent pictures of his underwear and sent messages including: “Please can you f*** me?”, “I want to have babies with you”, and “Have you touched yourself as a pre-match routine?”

Dalal also sent his mobile number and address and asked her to visit him.

The 42-year-old travelled to Liverpool’s 4-0 defeat away at Manchester City on February 16th, 2025. He was spotted by a steward who alerted a safety officer. Dalal admitted to stalking when questioned by the police.

Dalal pleaded guilty to stalking in court last month.

Marie Hobinger joined Liverpool in 2023

His defence argued that Dalal suffers from bipolar disorder and had been experiencing a manic episode with psychotic features during the period he sent messages to Hobinger. They also described how Dalal sent Liverpool a statement in which he apologised to Hobinger.

Judge Hina Rai told Dalal: “I find your conduct was very serious, notwithstanding the messages were sent on social media.

“Ms Hobinger also experienced a repeat flare-up of a skin condition due to the stress and anxiety caused by your actions. When considering the culpability and harm factors, I consider it was not prolonged.

“I have considered carefully that you are of previous good character and have no previous convictions. I have also considered the medical reports concerning your actions.”

Hobinger releases statement

Liverpool midfielder Hobinger was not present at Dalal’s sentencing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

In her victim statement read out in court, she said: “I became anxious in the car park at night and would rush inside. I knew I was safe but I still felt anxiety being on my own. It’s not a nice feeling to be like that.

“I felt uncomfortable and my thoughts were not on my game as much as they should have been. When fans were taking pictures from the crowd it made me feel insecure about who was taking them.

“I love matchdays and this should be a time when I should be feeling confident and strong. Someone from Liverpool football club also had to escort me home. The club has been amazing and it has been hard to deal with the situation.

“Although it has not affected my mental health, it has caused me stress and anger. It makes me sad that women’s football is sexualised and disrespected. No woman, no matter what her job is, should have to put up with this type of behaviour.”

Dalal, will be required to undergo 25 days of rehabilitation alongside serving an 18-month community order. The total he owes the court is £764. He will not be allowed to visit Liverpool’s training ground, Melwood, or the home stadiums of Liverpool women’s team – St Helens or Anfield.

Liverpool head coach Gareth Taylor said last month that it was “not nice” for Hobinger to be named in the stalking case.

Hobinger suffered an ACL injury in Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City and is currently out of action.