Alfi is a young rugby player from Oakdale in South Wales.
His father regularly posts photos of him and his team on Facebook after games... But this time, the little boy found himself the target of violent mockery.
"I had to delete a post from Facebook because some idiot commented that my boy was too 'fat' to play with under 12s and wasn't in good health.
If only people knew how hard he works to get fit and how low his confidence is.
Don't worry Alfie, I will always be your biggest fan”.
Had to remove a post from Facebook as an idiot commented saying my boy is to "big" to play under 12s and isn't healthy.
If only people knew how hard he works to get fitter and how low his confidence has been.
Don't worry Alfie I'll always be your biggest fan.
pic.twitter.com/cDkA9BQOG8
— Mark Pugsley (@Puggster) January 23, 2022
The case quickly went viral (the dad's post was retweeted 10,000 times and 'liked' by 200,000 people), and rugby stars around the world came to his aid.
Thus the former captain of the All Blacks Jérôme Kaino, the Fijian Nemani Nadolo, the referee Nigel Owens, the All Black Israel Dagg, the Aviron Bayonnais or the tricolor international Matthieu Jalibert have posted messages of support for Alfie.
“Alfie, I heard myself say all my youth that I was too small, too skinny, too slender, wrote the Bordelais, opening half of the XV of France.
When I read your dad's post, my heart aches.
Never lose hope.
Believe in your dreams.
Your dad is your number one fan.
I am the second.
GM »
Alfie, I was told all my youth that I was too small, too skinny, too skinny.
When I read your dad's post, my heart aches.
Never lose hope.
Believe in your dreams.
Your dad is your number one fan.
I am the second.
MJ https://t.co/KBvxk1583g
— Matthieu Jalibert (@MattJalibert) January 24, 2022
Jérôme Kaino, today in the staff of the Toulouse Stadium.
“Alfie, keep having fun and working hard mate, our beautiful game is for ALL genders, people from ALL walks of life and also of ALL shapes and sizes.
Keep smiling,” the ex-third line posted.
World Rugby also stood out with a message to Alfie, – “wherever rugby takes you, enjoy every minute, keep working hard and know there are lots of people supporting you” – just like the Irish and English rugby federations, or the Scottish clubs of Glasgow, and English of Northampton and Wasps.