A man has been sentenced to a two-year restraining order and an 18-month community order for stalking Marie Hobinger, a player for Liverpool Women’s team.

The individual, identified as 42-year-old Mangal Dalal, engaged in a series of inappropriate and sexualized communications directed at Hobinger through Instagram. Over a span of three weeks, starting January 27, 2024, Dalal bombarded the athlete with messages, culminating in him loitering near the pitch after one of her matches.

Residing in Hyde Park Gardens, Westminster, Dalal sent the 24-year-old Austrian international pictures of his underwear along with disturbingly personal messages. He expressed desires to have children with her, shared her residential details, and professed love, even lamenting that they hadn’t been intimate. Dalal employed two separate Instagram accounts to reach out to her.

Alarmed by these advances, Hobinger informed her club of the situation. In response to safety concerns, the club provided her with a security officer to accompany her during matches.

His presence was eventually noted at Manchester City’s Joie Stadium, where a vigilant steward recognized Dalal in the crowd and notified authorities. Upon police questioning, Dalal confessed to his actions, attributing them to mental health issues at the time.

A man has been handed a two-year restraining order for stalking stalking Liverpool Women’s player Marie Hobinger

Mangal Dalal, 42, sent repeated inappropriate and sexualised messages to Hobinger over a three-week period before later waiting for her by the side of the pitch after a match

Although Hobinger did not attend the proceedings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, her victim impact statement highlighted the ordeal’s toll. She described how the harassment affected her sleep and made her hyper-aware of sounds around her home, fearing that Dalal might have discovered her address.

‘I became anxious in the car park at night and would rush inside. I knew I was safe but I still felt anxiety being on my own. It’s not a nice feeling to be like that,’ Hobinger said.

‘I felt uncomfortable and my thoughts were not on my game as much as they should have been. When fans were taking pictures from the crowd it made me feel insecure about who was taking them.

‘I love matchdays and this should be a time when I should be feeling confident and strong. Someone from Liverpool Football Club also had to escort me home. The club has been amazing and it has been hard to deal with the situation.

‘Although it has not affected my mental health, it has caused me stress and anger. It makes me sad that women’s football is sexualised and disrespected. No woman, no matter what her job is, should have to put up with this type of behaviour.’

Dalal’s lawyer, Daniel Lister, described how Dalal, who suffers from bipolar disorder, had been experiencing a manic episode with psychotic features during the period in which he was sending Hobinger messages. During this time Dalal had also been ‘walking around barefoot, preaching sermons on the streets of London’.

Lister also described how Dalal had since sent Liverpool FC a statement in which he had apologised to Hobinger, and he had expressed remorse for his actions. He has been attending weekly psychotherapy sessions since May 2025.

Addressing Dalal at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Judge Hina Rai said: ‘I find your conduct was very serious, notwithstanding the messages were sent on social media.

Hobinger had alerted Liverpool to the messages and, due to concerns for her safety, was assigned a safety officer to accompany her to matches

‘Ms Hobinger also experienced a repeat flare up of a skin condition due to the stress and anxiety caused by your actions. When considering the culpability and harm factors, I consider it was not prolonged.

‘I have considered carefully that you are of previous good character and have no previous convictions. I have also considered the medical reports concerning your actions.’

Dalal, who was wearing a white shirt and blue trousers, will be required to undergo 25 days of rehabilitation as part of his 18-month community order, and he also owes £764 in court costs.

He will not be allowed to visit Liverpool’s training ground, Melwood, or to attend a Liverpool women’s home game at either St Helens Stadium or Anfield. He was also told he would not be permitted to contact or approach Hobinger, either directly or indirectly.

Hobinger joined Liverpool in July 2023 and featured in every match during her first season at the club. She is currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury sustained in October.