Updated: 13 Jul 2026 14:14 BST |
4 min read
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Norway’s defeat to England in the World Cup quarter-final has had a ‘sick’ fallout, with one of Erling Haaland’s team-mates particularly singled out for abuse on social media.
Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth has found himself a target for trolls following the 2-1 loss after extra-time, both on his own social channels and those of fiancée Lena Selnes.
Sorloth had a golden opportunity to put Norway 2-0 up during the second half as he led a 2-on-1 counter alongside Haaland. However, he was unable to find a pass to the Manchester City striker and Jordan Pickford saved his ensuing shot.
The striker has already explained what went through his mind in the breakaway.
“I take a touch and look up and I see John Stones blocking that pass. Then I take another touch and it’s too bad. I’m waiting for him to make a tackle instead of me making him make a tackle,” he said.
“The only thing I want to do in that situation is to cross to Erling. Then it feels like that pass isn’t going to work, and then I go for a shot.”
Despite his explanation, the consequences have been severe.
Sorloth faces death threats after Haaland blunder
On his latest Instagram post, he has received countless disparaging comments, with among the most liked those that told him: ‘Never play football again,’ and that he has become ‘the most hated man in Norway, maybe even the world’.
Lena Selnes has received similar comments and on Sunday addressed the harassment via a post on her Instagram stories.
“The World Cup and football bring a lot of joy, but also a lot of hate. I don’t really want to give it any attention, but I need it after comments like this,” she wrote.
Attached were a string of comments directed at her husband, including:
“Tell your husband to leave Norway and jump off a cliff.”
“I’m going to k*** him.”
“Please k*** yourself, you idiot.”
Selnes added: “I hope everyone can think a little extra before making such comments, regardless of the situation.”
Union wants police involvement
Sorloth has received resounding support in Norway.
“That’s the world we live in, and the emotions run high. It’s tragic, and there’s nothing more to say about it,” national team boss Stale Solbakken explained.
“That’s why I tell the guys to stay away from social media, especially on days like this. That’s not where you should get your energy.”
Kristoffer Vatshaug, the leader of the Norwegian Athletes’ Union (NISO), has called for police involvement in the case.
“No one should have to accept being subjected to this because they are doing their job. Harassment and threats are not part of the sport that athletes just have to learn to live with. We can never accept that,” he wrote in an email to Dagbladet.
“We believe that specific threats, calls for violence or other illegal expressions should always be considered and reported. It is important that such cases are taken seriously and have consequences.
“Unfortunately, these are not isolated incidents but a development we have seen over time. Through our work with mental health and the assistance we provide to athletes, we also see the dark side of this. Such messages can have major consequences for the individual, both as an athlete and as a person.”
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