‘Not nice’ for Hobinger to be named in stalking case

Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor is unhappy midfielder Marie Hobinger was named as the victim in a stalking case but says she is doing “OK” following her ordeal.

Mangal Dalal, 42, from Westminster, London, pleaded guily to stalking at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday after “repeatedly sending messages” of an “inappropriate and sexualised” nature.

The messages were made via Instagram and were sent between 27 January and 16 February 2025, often including his mobile number and postcode.

In a prepared statement, Dalal admitted to stalking but said that he was mentally unwell at the time.

He will be sentenced on 20 January 2026 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

“Hopefully this is coming to the end. What we care about are the players and we massively care about Marie and the situation she is going through,” Liverpool manager Taylor told BBC Sport.

“It’s not nice, particularly the fact she’s been named also. I don’t think that’s great. But we deal with it.

“Nobody wants to see these things happening in any walk of life, so hopefully it’s drawn to a conclusion really soon.

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

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

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

Senior Crown Prosecutor Sarah McInerney said: “Mangal Dalal targeted [Hobinger] and treated her as an object that he could use to air his fantasies.

“His messaging was intense, continual, and totally inappropriate. It had a serious impact on the player who was simply trying to play to the best of her ability in a sport and team that she loves.”

Austria midfielder Hobinger, 24, joined Liverpool from FC Zurich in 2023 but is currently sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.