Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - Midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro performed dances mimicking a monkey after he was racially abused during a Serie B match between Brescia and Sampdoria.
Akinsanmiro, who is on loan to Sampdoria from Inter Milan
became the target of racist chants and monkey noises from a section of Brescia
supporters at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti on Sunday night, January 12.
The racist abuse began almost immediately after kick-off,
with audible ‘boos’ directed at 21-year-old Akinsanmiro throughout the early
stages of the game, according to Corriere della Sera.
The situation became so severe that the stadium announcer
had to repeatedly call for the home fans to cease their behaviour, warning that
the match could be suspended if the racist chants continued.
The tension towered around the 30-minute mark when Sampdoria
took the lead through a goal by Coda.
Reacting to the opening goal, the 21-year-old Nigerian
celebrated by mimicking a monkey gesture towards the offending section of the
crowd.
This action led to his booking by the referee and further
intensified the hostile atmosphere in the stadium.
As the match
progressed, the situation on the field became increasingly heated, with several
rough challenges directed at Akinsanmiro.
Sampdoria’s
coach, Leonardo Semplici, made the decision to substitute the young player
around the 40-minute mark to protect him from potential further incidents or
disciplinary action.
As Akinsanmiro
left the pitch, he sarcastically applauded towards the stands, a final act of
defiance against the abuse he had endured. In the aftermath of the match,
Brescia’s coach Pierpaolo Bisoli made controversial comments that have further
fuelled the debate.
Bisoli claimed
he “hadn’t heard anything” regarding the racist chants, despite the stadium
announcer’s repeated interventions, and criticized Akinsanmiro’s reaction,
stating, “You can’t provoke the public like that. Regardless, you must show
respect.”
Sampdoria coach
Semplici, in contrast, defended his player vigorously in his post-match
comments, praising Akinsanmiro’s performance while describing him as the best
player on the field before the incident.
He expressed
regret over the situation and questioned Bisoli’s claim of not hearing the
racist chants, pointing out that even the referee had previously addressed the
issue.
Midfielder EBENEZER AKINSANMIRO performs dances mimicking a monkey after being racially abused in Italian league game pic.twitter.com/N7znRGHcos
— DAILY POST 🇰🇪 (@dailypost_ke) January 15, 2025
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