A vile phone screen act aimed at Arsenal star Declan Rice has sparked widespread outrage — with high-profile Gunners supporter Piers Morgan leading the charge.
During Arsenal’s convincing 4-1 North London Derby win over Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, a Spurs fan was captured holding up a photo of Rice’s wife, Lauren Fryer, on his mobile phone as the midfielder prepared to take a corner.
The ugly moment, which was caught on camera and quickly spread across social media, has been labelled “disgusting” and “scummy” by fans from both sides of the fierce rivalry.
Footage broadcast by beIN Sports showed Rice later explaining the incident to teammate Bukayo Saka and assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg.
As posted by DailyAFC on X, Rice appeared to tell Saka and Stuivenberg: “When I went to take a corner, they were showing it, so obviously I was angry.”
Saka’s face changed instantly upon hearing what had happened, going from laughing with his teammate to visible shock.
Fortunately, Rice seemed unaware of the taunt in the moment and completed the full 90 minutes, playing a key role in Arsenal’s emphatic win under Mikel Arteta.
But it was Morgan who delivered the most brutal response.
The outspoken broadcaster took to X to blast the Spurs supporter, writing:
“Memo to the pathetic little turd of a Spurs fan who did this to Declan Rice on Sunday: You’ll need to find a Watford player’s girlfriend for your North London Derby next season.”
The jab referenced Tottenham’s poor form and relegation fears, currently sitting in 16th place and only four points off the relegation zone.
In a twist that underlines the incident, many Tottenham supporters publicly condemned the behaviour.
“I hate Arsenal like every Spurs fan, but this fella in the stands doesn’t represent us,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Scummiest behaviour in sports,” while a fellow supporter posted, “There are some lines that should never be crossed!”
One Spurs fan even called for action, writing: “Whoever that idiot fan was needs to be named and shamed. There’s no need for pathetic immature things like that.”
It’s not the first time Rice’s wife has been targeted.
Lauren Fryer has previously been subjected to waves of online abuse over her appearance, forcing her to delete photos and shut down social media accounts amid relentless trolling.
Speaking in April about the abuse directed at his family, Rice made his feelings clear.
“My wife is the love of my life and there is no one better for me,” he said at the time.
Fryer has also received public support from other high-profile WAGs.
Rebekah Vardy said: “It’s truly disgusting what Lauren Fryer has been subjected to. Unfortunately, nowadays it’s very easy to hide behind a keyboard.”
Meanwhile, Dani Dyer revealed details of a private conversation she had with Fryer following the abuse.
“It was so hard for her, the trolling, as she doesn’t put herself out there. I think it’s harder when you are not in [the celebrity world] and you are being personally attacked. I found that hard. She is a really good mum, who keeps to herself. No one deserves to be criticised like that.
“It was so cruel. We didn’t speak about it a lot. What we did talk about is how she is so nice and so great and looks absolutely gorgeous. Plus, she’s Dec’s childhood sweetheart and you can see how much he adores her.”
