Stalker sent pictures of Liverpool star Marie Hoppinger’s underwear

A father-of-two has been sentenced to a two-year restraining order and an 18-month community order for stalking Liverpool midfielder Marie Hoppinger.

The Austria international was distressed and said her performance on the pitch was affected after Mangal Dalal, 42, sent pictures of her underwear and said he wanted to rip her shorts in messages on Instagram, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.

The court was told that she had to change her daily behaviour, refrained from mingling with fans on match days, and felt anxious at home.

Dalal, of Marylebone, west London, was also ordered to pay £650 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

He pleaded guilty to stalking at Liverpool District Court in December.

“The nature and tone of the highly sexual content was distressing and caused her to be afraid of her surroundings and affected her daily life,” Judge Hina Rai said while handing down the sentence.

Prosecutor David Burns told the court Dellal also sent explicit messages and told Hoppinger he wanted to have children with her.

The court heard that the stress of the situation exacerbated a skin condition she was suffering from.

In a victim impact statement, she said: “This incident means I now find it difficult to sleep.

At home, she said she became “anxious and fearful — any noise, I fear the male might have discovered where I live.

“As darkness fell, I found myself looking over my shoulder. I knew I was safe, but I became anxious and rushed inside.

“It’s not a nice feeling especially when your home is a safe place.”

Hoppinger also said that the events “affected my performance on the field.”

Speaking about when fans take photos, she said she is “often shy because I feel insecure” and that she doesn’t want to be with them.

She added: “I love match days and this is the time when I should feel focused and strong.

“Even though I am in the public eye, I do not feel it is acceptable to receive sexually explicit messages.

“I don’t feel it’s okay for women’s football to be sexualised and disrespectful.

“No woman, no matter what her job, should have to put up with this kind of behavior.”

There is no automatic right to anonymity of the victim in this type of crime.

It is believed that Hobinger was named because her prominent role in professional football was a major reason why she was targeted.

Sources at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) say they hope raising awareness of the crime will act as a deterrent to others and give victims the courage to come forward.

Hoppinger described her club as “amazing” in its support in the face of Dalal’s unwanted interests.

His mobile phone number and postcode were included in the sexually explicit messages, which were posted between January 27 and February 16 2025, the court heard.

He also asked her to visit him.

Concerns about the Austrian player’s safety increased to the point that the club’s safety official traveled with her to attend the matches.

Dalal traveled to an away match in Manchester last February, and was spotted on the field at the end of the match.

He later admitted this in a police interview but said he was mentally ill.

Daniel Lister, defending Dalal, said that Dalal previously had a good character and worked in investments.

He said his client was experiencing a psychotic episode due to a condition that had been diagnosed at the time he was calling Hoppinger.

He was “in the midst of a health crisis” and was seen giving sermons in the street barefoot, prompting his ex-wife to try to seek medical help.