Thomas Frank Shares Update on Destiny Udogie After Alleged Gun Threat Incident
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has expressed his support for Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie, following reports that the young player was recently threatened with a gun in north London. Frank described the episode as a “terrible situation” and emphasized that Tottenham are doing everything possible to help Udogie and his family cope with the ordeal.
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which is said to have occurred on September 6 in the Cockfosters area of Barnet. According to reports, officers were called to the scene at around 11:14 p.m. after receiving a call that a man in his 20s had been threatened with a firearm. During the course of their inquiries, police discovered that another man in his 20s had also allegedly been subjected to blackmail and threats by the same suspect.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either case.
A 31-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, blackmail, and driving without a licence. He has since been released on bail while investigations continue.
The Italian media identified 22-year-old Udogie as the unnamed Premier League player involved in the incident earlier this week. Despite the distressing situation, Udogie showed remarkable professionalism and focus, featuring prominently in Tottenham’s 4–0 Champions League victory over Copenhagen later that same evening. His performance drew praise from fans and teammates alike for his composure and mental strength.
Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Manchester United on Saturday, Frank addressed the situation with empathy and concern:
“It’s a terrible situation to have been in,” Frank said. “I can’t speak too much about it as it’s an ongoing legal matter, but the club and everyone around him have done everything possible to support him. We’ll continue to do so. It’s good to see that he’s performing well on the pitch, which shows his resilience.”
Tottenham Hotspur released a statement confirming that they are offering full support to Udogie and his family during this difficult time. The club also noted that they are cooperating fully with the authorities as the investigation progresses.
The shocking incident has raised concerns about player safety and the growing number of off-field threats faced by professional footballers in recent years. Udogie, who joined Spurs from Udinese in 2022 and quickly established himself as a key part of the team’s defense, is understood to be in good spirits and continuing to train as normal.
As police inquiries continue, fans and colleagues across the football world have expressed their support for the young defender, applauding his professionalism and composure in the face of such a frightening experience.