All football fans are known to support their clubs passionately and wholeheartedly. Taiwo Ogunlabi, popularly known as TY, the viral AFTV YouTube channel star, is no different, perhaps just a notch higher in terms of fan passion.
TY is an ardent Arsenal fan who has become famous for his fan reaction videos showing unwavering passion and support for Arsenal Football Club on AFTV, regardless of their performances, especially his resolute optimism even when the team’s on-field results have been bad and is very well known by football fans.
Arsenal faced Sunderland away at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Sunday, and the Gunners left with a frustrating 2-2 draw. Arsenal fans would have come to the Stadium of Light expecting a victory and all 3 points, instead they had to settle for a rather unsettling draw against an impressive Sunderland side.
Arsenal remain at the top of the table heading into the November International break; however, the draw brings Manchester City firmly back into the title race right behind them at second with just a 4-point difference, which has left the Gunners fans frustrated, disappointed and nervous.
After the match, according to footage circulating on social media, it was seen that TY was manhandled and harassed by one of the stewards at the Stadium of Light. He was apparently involved in a heated confrontation with the Sunderland fans.
Football fans are as they are, the usual ‘Banter’ amongst supporters is bound to take place.
However, according to the video, TY appears visibly angry and agitated as arguments with home supporters escalated. After the confrontations and arguments, a steward can be seen holding TY forcefully, gripping him near the throat, pushing him away from the Sunderland fans and out of the stadium.
How is this bloke real pic.twitter.com/17NvDWMlwG https://t.co/almFV133rc
— ben (@bennufc_18) November 8, 2025
TY has always been famous for his over-the-top reactions to Arsenal’s matches. Judging by the viral video, it remains uncertain whether TY gave some sort of reaction, which the Sunderland fans did not take in good spirits, or he responded to some sort of provocation by the home fans.
As is the case always, fans have had their say regarding the incident on social media.
Some have defended TY and questioned the manner in which the steward handled him.
One of the fans was clearly disturbed by the circulation of the video after TY’s treatment by the steward.
“Harass him, then get your phone out to record his reaction. Been happening for years now, will always be weird. Those people that he works for need to be doing better to ensure this stops”
Many fans have ridiculed TY, hoping he would stay out of trouble.
“They always speak to him on shows and urge him to ignore, and have told him many times that they do it to him because he gives a reaction. He refuses to listen.”
“He’s a mid-50-year-old man; he needs to find a life.”
“He’s a grown man, entirely on him to control his emotions.”
Some believe that TY suffers from sort of neurological problem and needs help, especially from Arsenal fans themselves, when he gets into such situations while defending his beloved club.
“Everyone knows Ty from AFTV has learning difficulties and autism, yet not one Arsenal fan defends him while getting bullied. Spineless lot.”
Some believe that this may well be a deliberate media stunt by AFTV to get more views.
“The people he works for want this to happen”
“Exactly the danger with AFTV exploiting these people and shoving them front and centre for the country to see. Ty obviously struggles with social interaction, yet they plaster his (over) reaction to everything Arsenal for him to be ridiculed. Anything for profit, I guess”
One fan was empathetic towards TY literally getting bullied and made fun of by many.
“Idc if I sound woke, but I don’t like seeing people laugh at Ty whenever he’s agitated. He’s likely got something, & if that’s the case, it’s essentially bullying. Past all the passion & heated debates you can tell he comes in good faith. Just a bloke who follows his club up & down the country every week. Which he’s been doing long before AFTV became a thing btw.”
Arsenal Football Club are yet to make an official comment regarding the incident.
