Brandon Williams has branded the behaviour of Norwich fans who "abused" him and followed him home as "unacceptable."
The Manchester United loanee took to social media and posted on Instagram after the threatening episode following Norwich's 4-0 defeat to West Ham on Sunday. Williams, 21, posted a picture of his dogs as an apparent warning and middle finger gesture after the game but has denied any investigation is being carried out by Norwich City into his conduct.
Norwich fans are reported to have waited outside Carrow Road after the game, made threats towards the full back and then followed him home which is a deeply worrying development. But the England under-21 international's representatives have now issued a strongly worded statement praising the majority of Norwich fans as he has received messages of support but a minority appear to have singled him out after a difficult season for the club.
The statement read: "Following the game against West Ham, Brandon was subject to taunting and abuse whilst driving away from the stadium. Immediately thereafter Brandon was followed as he travelled home. Those following him only desisted once they realised Brandon had noticed them following him.
"There is no club investigation into Brandon. This conduct by a small number of fans is unacceptable. The vast majority of fans have been overwhelmingly supportive during Brandon’s loan time at Norwich. Brandon is grateful to Norwich City for their support and to all the true fans of Norwich who have sent him messages of support at this time."
Also on Monday, the 21-year-old personally shed light on the situation which Norwich were reportedly investigating. In his own statement which was deleted just a few minutes after being posted on social media, Williams explained: "Yesterday after leaving the stadium I was taunted and abused by fans surrounding the stadium whilst I was in my car.
"After the abuse I was followed by individuals who only stopped following me once they became aware I had noticed them. However passionate fans are it is not right that a small minority abuse players or, in this case, follow them. Since arriving at Norwich I have played for the club as if I were a permanent member of the team.
"It is unfortunate that a small number of fans behave like this. There is no club investigation as incorrectly reported in the media. I would like to thank those fans who have sent me messages of support at this unsettling time."
The United academy graduate was given his debut by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in September 2019 after impressing in the club's youth ranks as a teenager. Earning a lucrative new deal less than 12 months later, Williams has a contract with the Red Devils until June 2024, with the option of an extra year.
After a promising start to life under Solskjaer which saw him compete for with Luke Shaw for the left-back berth, the arrival of Alex Telles from Porto in October 2020 significantly restricted his game time last term. That prompted him to make the move to Norfolk last summer on a season-long loan which began.
Establishing himself as a regular starter under Norwich boss Dean Smith over the course of a difficult campaign which has seen the Canaries languish rock bottom of the Premier League and be relegated to the Championship, supporters recently unveiled a banner calling for him to stay at Carrow Road.
In March, Williams told the Mail : "I'm playing games now and I love it. I can't wait for the weekend so I can get to the stadium. There would be no point in me going back to United and just sitting on the bench. I want to play and feel I'm better equipped for the Premier League after this experience. Whether it's at United or somewhere else, we'll deal with that in the summer. But I've got a job to do here at Norwich."
