NAPOLI have finally broken their silence on the now-deleted videos shared by the club’s official TikTok account mocking Victor Osimhen.
Earlier this week, the Serie A champions posted two shocking clips, one mocking the Nigerian striker for missing a penalty and another branding him a “coconut” — widely viewed as a racial slur.
Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda was quick to release a statement threatening legal action.
But now Napoli have finally broken their silence on the situation – saying “no offence was intended” and the bizarre clips were meant to be “light-hearted”.
A statement read: “Calcio Napoli, wishing to avoid any exploitation of the issue, point out that we never wanted to offend or mock Victor Osimhen, who is a treasure of this club.
“As proof of that, during the summer training retreat, the Club firmly rebuffed every offer that was received for the striker’s transfer abroad.
READ MORE SPORT STORIES
“Social media, in particular TikTok, has always used an expressive form of language with a light heart and creativity, without wanting to, as in the case with Osimhen as protagonist, have any intention of insult or derision.
“In any case, if Victor perceived any offence towards him, this was not what the club intended.”
Osimhen played and scored in Wednesday night’s 4-1 win over Udinese – but refused to celebrate his goal.
He was taken off penalty duties following his Bologna miss which was the subject of one of Napoli’s TikToks.
Most read in Football
Earlier this week, Osimhen’s agent fumed: “We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful initiative to protect Victor.
“What happened on Napoli’s official profile is not acceptable.
“A video mocking Victor was first made public and then belatedly deleted.
“A serious fact that causes very serious damage to the player and adds to the treatment the boy is suffering.”
Premier League clubs are now keen to capitalise on the unsettled forward’s situation in the January transfer window.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are monitoring the situation.
But European heavyweights Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested should Napoli be forced to sell their £150million-rated superstar.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
