Socceroos star is bombarded with shocking abuse and threats of violence on social media as vile trolls target him and his family

  • Socceroos players shocked at vitriol coming from their own fans from online 
  • Some fans have been mercilessly targeting Socceroos winger Robbie Kruse 
  • Some have even targeted Kruse's family with his parents getting off Facebook 

Instead of cheering on their own team, many Australian fans have taken to social media to vilify and threaten violence on some Socceroos players.

Socceroos winger Robbie Kruse has been the 'whipping boy' of the team for many jilted fans which has forced his own parents to shut down their Facebook accounts after the abuse had become too much, ABC News reported. 

Kruse's brother Jamie Kruse also responded to the unwarranted criticisms. 

Socceroos winger Robbie Kruse (pictured with wife Tiharny Kruse) has been the 'whipping boy' of the team for many jilted fans which has forced his own parents to shut down their Facebook accounts after the abuse had become too much

Socceroos winger Robbie Kruse (pictured with wife Tiharny Kruse) has been the 'whipping boy' of the team for many jilted fans which has forced his own parents to shut down their Facebook accounts after the abuse had become too much

'Yep. Today is not a good day for the family. It’s that bad on Facebook I've suspended my parents Facebook account for a week,' he wrote.

'I even seen people trying to write to Robbie on social media. And let’s just say it’s not nice work.'

Teammate Mathew Leckie told reporters on Saturday that it's 'not ok' for his own countrymen and women to be 'slagging' him off.

The criticism's ranged from minimal to the extreme 

Socceroos player Mathew Leckie said no one has the right to personally abuse a player whether they like them or now 

'We're representing Australia. And the people back home that are saying bad things, it's understandable that they might like [some] players more than other players,' he said. 

'But it doesn't give anyone the right to abuse a player.' 

Fans took to social media during Australia's first two games to take aim at the Socceroos veteran, who has racked up 66 international appearances for his country and come back from a potentially career ending knee reconstruction. 

Fans took to social media during Australia's first two games to take aim at the Socceroos veteran, who has racked up 66 international appearances for his country and come back from a potentially career ending knee reconstruction

Fans took to social media during Australia's first two games to take aim at the Socceroos veteran, who has racked up 66 international appearances for his country and come back from a potentially career ending knee reconstruction

Leckie said many people obviously don't notice or pay attention to what Kruse does for the team both on field and off field.

'He's not playing because the coach has a private liking to him, he does do many things on the pitch that people don't see so I think it's just a bit unfair,' he said. 

Despite this the vitriol towards the faithful Australian winger hasn't eased.

Many other fans have jumped to the defence of the under fire winger 

Many other fans have jumped to the defence of the under fire winger 

'Anyone want to start a go fund me to send Robbie Kruse home? Feel we could achieve this easily,' one user wrote. 

One of the more crude attacks on Kruse also included a Sydney landmark and Kruse's own family.  

However other people were quick to jump to the defence of Kruse. 

However other people were quick to jump to the defence of Kruse

However other people were quick to jump to the defence of Kruse

'Robbie is trying his guts out as always. The hard work he does isn't sometimes as flashy or obvious to some, so he's an easy target. Those who understand the game know his value. Chin up,' one fan wrote on Twitter. 

Adelaide United player Taylor Regan also jumped to the defence of the under attack winger. 

'Robbie Kruse is aware of the abuse he is copping on social media. Warranted or not, that makes me sick in the stomach,' he wrote.

'Regardless of opinions, some things don't need to be said on here. Ahhh one day I hope be able to say & do what I please to keyboard warriors.'  

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