https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230929/nigeria-urges-italy-to-investigate-mockery-of-west-african-states-football-player-1062440820.html
Nigeria Urges Italy to Investigate Mockery of West African State's Football Player
Nigeria Urges Italy to Investigate Mockery of West African State's Football Player
Sputnik Africa
Recently, Nigeria's national Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen was scoffed by his Italian club Napoli which posted a video on TikTok, in which he missed a... 29.09.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-09-29T19:19+0200
2023-09-29T19:19+0200
2023-09-29T19:19+0200
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Nigeria is employing diplomatic avenues with Italy over the mockery of the Nigerian footballer Victor Osimhen by his Italian club Napoli, Nigeria’s Sports Minister John Owan Enoh said.In addition, the minister said that Nigeria is determined to make sure that its "sportsmen and women are accorded the respect they deserve and are not exposed to any injustice."Moreover, Enoh highlighted that the news, concerning Osimhen, "saddened [him] greatly."Napoli deleted the video, which was ridiculing the football player, and added that the club did not have any intention to offend Osimhen, noting that "expressive language is used in a light-hearted and playful manner."Apart from the situation with Osimhen, Enoh is concerned about the travails of the Nigerian athlete, Tobi Amusan. In July, the runner was reportedly suspended for missing three anti-doping controls, however, she argued her case before an independent panel. The suspension was overturned on the eve of the World Championships, held in Budapest, media said.Nevertheless, the world record holder in the 100m hurdles is still involved in a running battle with the Athletics Integrity Unit, which in middle September filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), trying to convict Amusan of an anti-doping offense that could damage her career.
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Nigeria Urges Italy to Investigate Mockery of West African State's Football Player
Recently, Nigeria's national Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen was scoffed by his Italian club Napoli which posted a video on TikTok, in which he missed a penalty and was voiced in a high voice saying "gimme penalty please."
Nigeria is employing diplomatic avenues with Italy over the mockery of the Nigerian
footballer Victor Osimhen by his Italian club Napoli, Nigeria’s Sports Minister John Owan Enoh said.
"Together, we are employing Diplomatic avenues with Italy for a more proper approach to looking into the matter as it is," Enoh posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In addition, the minister said that Nigeria is determined to make sure that its "sportsmen and women are accorded the respect they deserve and are not exposed to any injustice."
"Upon assumption of office, I made it abundantly clear, in words and deeds, that the welfare of our athletes, be they home-based or international-based, would be our topmost priority as we create the environment that enables and ensures their continued success," the official stressed.
Moreover, Enoh highlighted that the news, concerning Osimhen, "saddened [him] greatly."
Napoli deleted the video, which was ridiculing the
football player, and added that the club did not have any intention to offend Osimhen, noting that "expressive language is used in a light-hearted and playful manner."
"To avoid any potential exploitation of the matter, SSC Napoli would like to explicitly state that the club never intended to offend or make fun of Victor Osimhen, who is an asset to the club," the club's statement read.
Apart from the situation with Osimhen, Enoh is concerned about the travails of the Nigerian athlete, Tobi Amusan.
"The travails of Tobi Amusan have been no less so—the reason I made efforts to reach her directly last week," the minister underlined.
In July, the runner was reportedly suspended for missing three anti-doping controls, however, she argued her case before an independent panel. The suspension was overturned on the eve of the World Championships, held in Budapest, media said.
Nevertheless, the
world record holder in the 100m hurdles is still involved in a running battle with the Athletics Integrity Unit, which in middle September filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), trying to convict Amusan of an anti-doping offense that could damage her career.
