Son, who scored the decisive second goal, was targeted on social media with racial slurs – inaccurate ones at that as they described him as Chinese rather than South Korean – and virus-related barbs, much to the disgust of his fans in South Korea. Sadly, some posts even came from accounts purporting to be Spurs supporters.

This followed what some would call lighthearted banter at the arrival of Odion Ighalo at Manchester United from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.

The Nigeria international striker’s loan signing was greeted with many jokes that it was a master plan for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to get this season called off and stop Liverpool winning the title.

Interestingly, there were far fewer jokes about Sheffield United’s signing of former Ajax wonderkid Richairo Zivkovic from Ighalo’s former club Changchun Yatai, or Ayub Masiki swapping Beijing Renhe for Championship side Reading.

Virus to delay Chinese teams’ AFC Champions League games

It’s not a massive leap from those jokes to the treatment of Son.

Not that it is the first time Son has been the victim of racial intolerance either at the ground or online, and Asia’s top footballer is not alone.

Sadly it fits a pattern. A report in The Guardian last week cited a more than 50 per cent increase in racist incidents reported to police in England and Wales last year – jumping from 98 to 152 from the 2017-18 season to the 2018-19 season.

It is part of a wider pattern across the football world and does not take online abuse into account.

For another disappointing example of this new coronavirus-related xenophobia, we turn to Italy where a 13-year-old boy was targeted by an opposition player.

It has been widely reported that Francesco Li fled the pitch of his side’s match near Milan after being told by an opponent: “I hope you get the virus too.”

The two clubs – his side Cesano Boscone Idrostar and opponents Academy Ausonia – have since released a joint statement on Facebook saying they “are against all forms of racism and discrimination and together they commit to never lower their head even to isolated episodes of intolerance and to take the necessary measures against all those who do not reflect our values”.

That is the right message and we have since further seen football’s power for good.

Italian Serie A side AC Milan responded to the incident by sending Li a signed shirt with his name and number on it.

Virus travel bans spell chaos for AFC Champions League

Spanish La Liga side Espanyol, who count China international Wu Lei among their players, announced on their Weibo that they would be sending 450,000 masks to help the anti-virus fight in Wuhan.

“In support of China's fight against pneumonia epidemic of new coronavirus infection, RCD Espanyol officially donated a batch of urgently needed medical supplies to China,” they wrote.

The club added that the 450,000 masks – 430,000 European standard medical masks and 20,000 European standard N95 masks – were expected to arrive on February 4.

Individual players have made their own efforts. Shanghai Shenhua’s Colombian midfielder, Gio Moreno, who has spent the last eight years at the club, has donated to the anti-virus fight. His Weibo account posted that the second batch of medical supplies had arrived in Wuhan from his charitable foundation.

Jordi Cruyff, who left his role as Chongqing Lifan manager at end of the season, has also sent his best wishes to China.

“I am always grateful for all the support I have received in China. At the most difficult moment in this country, I want to give you all my support and strength,” the new Ecuador boss wrote on his Weibo account.

Coronavirus concerns force cancellation of more China sports events

“In this battle against viruses, Go China! I’m forever grateful for all the support I received in China and now, in a tough moment for the country, I want to give everyone all my support and strength. Be strong in the battle against the virus, China.”

Surely, a global crisis is one time when the world game can pull together?