Victor Osimhen is taking his club, Napoli, to court after they posted a discriminating video on the club TikTok account.
Last weekend, Napoli faced Bologna in the Serie A. After 70 minutes of gameplay, and still no goals in the match, Napoli received a penalty. This was their opportunity to take the lead in the match. Striker, and Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, missed the penalty, resulting in the match ending 0-0.
Hours after the final whistle, Napoli posted a video on their TikTok, referring to Osimhen as a 'coconut'. The Nigerian Government later released a statement saying, “We are committed to ensuring that our athletes are afforded the respect they deserve."
Osimhen took to social media himself saying that he much appreciated and valued the love and support that he had received from Napoli and Nigerian fans. "The passion of the people of Naples fuels my fire to always play with my heart and soul, and the love for the badge is unwavering as I wear it with pride," he stated.
Although Osimhen himself didn't seem to take the video to heart, his agent, Roberto Calenda, took a different approach. He publicly stated, "What happened today on Napoli's official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable. A video mocking Victor was first made public and then, but now belatedly, deleted." He continued by stating, "A serious fact that causes very serious damage to the player and adds to the treatment that the boy is suffering in the last period between media trials and fake news."
The 24-year-old unfollowed the Naples side on Instagram, but has recently started following them again. However, only days after the viral video was posted, Osimhen was linked with Premier League side, Chelsea. However, fans are curious to know whether this rumour has stemmed from the disagreement Osimhen has had with his club, or whether there is some genuine credibility to it.
No further legal action has been made by either Osimhen or his agent. Only time will tell how this case is going to be handled by the club and how exactly it will affect Osimhen's future with the Italian champions.