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Jonathan White

English Premier League footballer Gareth Bale has sent a message to Spurs supporters in Myanmar in a video that first surfaced last month.
“I would like to send a message to all our fans in Myanmar. Stay safe and well at this difficult time and thank you for your incredible support,” the former Real Madrid star said in the eight-second clip, first posted on Twitter on February 25.
Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted by the military on February 1. Dozens have been killed and injured in clashes between police and protesters with scores more detained since.
The video has gained more attention after being featured on the sharing site Reddit, with posts on Facebook and YouTube also featuring Bale’s message.


One of the Reddit users – in the COYS (Come on you Spurs) subreddit – referenced an email from Jose Mourinho to Spurs fans in the country.
An image of a letter purported to be from a club email account passing a message on from the Spurs boss has also surfaced online.
Juntas for goalposts – Leeds United chase money over morals in Myanmar
“Hi Football Fans from Myanmar,” it begins, “First I would like to wish you to be safe in your country. I mention Myanmar before in my interview once and as you can see from it so which I mean I know your country well.
“I want Myanmar People to know that everyone around the world is aware of what is happening even our players.
“We wish the people Myanmar be to safe and healthy. I have nothing to add on what is happening with Politics but Remember if I can win the Champions League with Porto so can you.

⚽️#EPL @SpursOfficial #Moruinho wishes “Myanmar to be safe & healthy” @MarcusRashford please lend us ur voice to stand w/ #Myanmar (80% hardcore @ManUtd fans)
Stop terrorism ! #CrimesAgainstHumanity
Condemn Coup!
We want Democracy!#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar#SaveUsRashford pic.twitter.com/ErefPyO701
— Milk Tea Alliance Myanmar (@Milktea_Myanmar) March 3, 2021

“With loads of love, Jose Mourinho,”
The club confirmed that the Bale video was genuine but the Mourinho email was fake.
The Milk Tea Alliance Myanmar Twitter account has also tried to get Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford to speak up on the ongoing military coup in the country.


Spurs held five football clinics for over 240 children in Yangon in 2019 as part of a programme with sponsor AIA. The club also held a fan event at Yangon United Football Club for 50 Spurs supporters.
Leeds United were criticised for making a two-match tour to Myanmar the year before. They lost the first match while Rohingya FC club secretary Mohammed Faruk asked the English club to play his team of refugees in Kuala Lumpur instead of making the trip.
The Myanmar military launched a mass crackdown on its Rohingya Muslim community in 2017, displacing many of the million strong population to Bangladesh.


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English Premier League

Gareth Bale sends support to Spurs fans in Myanmar – ‘stay safe’

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale celebrates after Spurs beat Brighton &Hove Albion in the English Premier League. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football


‘Stay safe and well at this difficult time and thank you for your incredible support,’ Tottenham star says in video
Image of message said to be from Jose Mourinho also shared on social media by country’s anti-coup protesters



‘Stay safe and well at this difficult time and thank you for your incredible support,’ Tottenham star says in video


Myanmar

Myanmar's democratic transition

Aung San Suu Kyi

Rohingya Muslims