Nigeria’s Sports Minister John Owan Enoh has said his country is pursuing diplomatic options with Italy in response to Italian football club Napoli’s mockery of Nigerian footballer Victor Osimhen.
On Thursday, Mr. Enoh said he was “saddened” to hear news of Napoli ridiculing of the 24-year-old striker, who also represents Nigeria’s national team.
On their TikTok account, the club posted a video of Osimhen missing a penalty, which was dub with the voiceover “gimme penalty please”.
After backlash, the club removed the post, but the player’s agent has threatened to sue the club.
Mr. Enoh added that safeguarding the welfare of its athletes was a top priority for the Nigerian government.
“We are committed to ensuring our sportsmen and women are accorded the respect they deserve and are not exposed to any injustice,” Mr Enoh said.
Napoli issued a statement on Thursday in which they claimed that the video was made using “expressive language used in a light-hearted and playful manner”.
Furthermore, it stated that it “never intended to offend or make fun of Victor Osimhen, who is an asset to the club”.
Source-BBC
