Ange Postecoglou vows to confront fans filming him for ‘five minutes of fame’ | OneFootball

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou will continue to confront spectators who put a phone in his face for “five minutes of fame” because of his desire to call out a growing trend.

Postecoglou came under fire on Thursday for his cupped ear celebration towards his own fans following Pape Sarr’s disallowed goal in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea.

It was another unwanted headline for the Australian after a confrontation with a fan in the home end after a 2-0 defeat at Fulham on March 16 also went viral.

It was not the first tense exchange Postecoglou has been filmed having with a supporter this season, but he explained why he chooses not to turn a blind eye.

“They want their five minutes of fame because that’s what this (phone) gives them,” Postecoglou said.

“For young people, this (phone) is more dangerous than any weapon in the world as far as I’m concerned.

“If I don’t pull up, especially young kids, who put up a phone in my face, then what’s stopping them doing that in the schoolyard? What’s stopping them doing that in general life and bullying people? Because it’s a bully mechanism, it’s not criticism.

“Do you think, after almost 30 years in the game that I haven’t received abuse? Mate, from the first day, of course. I don’t react to that, but if somebody is holding up a phone, I will react to it because I won’t accept it.

“It was two young boys doing it. I asked them, I don’t know if it’s shown in the clip, I said, ‘where’s your dad?’

“They got slightly sheepish and embarrassed because it’s not criticism I’m reacting to, it’s them holding up a phone. Why are you holding up a phone? What are you trying to do? So you can put it on social media and say ‘look, I got Ange Postecoglou to react, isn’t that great’.

“I’m going to stand up for what I believe is right. People may disagree with me, I understand that, but part of society is having those dissenting voices to ask those questions. I’m happy to take that on.

“I understand the question, that it just piles extra pressure on me, but I don’t see it as pressure, I see it as a responsibility I have while I’m in this public spotlight to call out what I think is not right.

“I’m not a perfect human-being, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but there are certain values that I’ll carry through until the day I die.”