Man arrested for death threats against PSV winger Noa Lang and his family
An 18-year-old man from Dordrecht was arrested Thursday for issuing serious death threats against PSV winger Noa Lang and his family over an extended period. The threats, delivered primarily through social media, have been ongoing since 2023, police said.
The suspect was taken into custody at his home Thursday morning by detectives from the Rotterdam-Zuid police unit specializing in football-related crime. After questioning, the man was released but has been given a contact ban and a geographical restriction banning him from areas Lang frequents. The Public Prosecution Service will review the case once the investigation file is complete.
“Threats of violence, including death threats made online, are criminal offenses punishable by severe penalties,” the police said in a statement. The investigation was able to identify the suspect due to the specialized knowledge of the football crime unit, which monitors connections between various cases.
Lang, 25, has publicly spoken out against the hateful messages he regularly receives online. In 2023, shortly after the birth of his son, Lang posted on social media, “Hating on me every day is no problem. But some of you internet heroes go too far, man.”
Noa Lang began playing for PSV in the summer of 2023. He previously trained in the youth academies of Feyenoord and Ajax, making his professional debut with the Amsterdam club. He also played on loan for FC Twente.
On Sunday, Lang helped PSV secure the Eredivisie championship, as the Eindhoven club beat Sparta 3-1, maintaining a one-point lead over second-place Ajax.
The police emphasized the significant impact threats can have on victims and their families, causing fear or aggression and severely affecting their lives. They noted that any form of threat is punishable, whether via text message, email, social media comment, or spoken word.
“Threatening violence, murder, sexual assault, or arson is illegal regardless of the medium,” the police said. They also clarified that anonymous social media accounts do not provide immunity, as law enforcement has several tools to identify those responsible.
