NAPOLI did not exactly apologise to Victor Osimhen as they issued an official statement concerning the mocking of the striker by the club’s official TikTok account.
Instead of apologising to the Nigeria international, who scored a league-high 26 goals last season to lead Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, the club clarified that they had no intention to offend or mock him.
Osimhen was justifiably offended after the distasteful TikTok video mocked him for missing a penalty against Bologna over the weekend, depicting him with an automated child-like voice appealing for the spot kick and then firing it wide.
His agent Roberto Calenda threatened legal action against Napoli, while Osimhen removed all images of himself in the club’s jersey from his Instagram account.
Although he featured last night and scored in the 4-1 Serie A victory over Udinese, Napoli released a statement this evening on their official website to explain the situation.
“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,” the statement reads.
“As proof of that, during the summer training retreat, the club firmly rebuffed every offer that was received for the striker’s transfer abroad.
“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.”
The club’s TikTok account had actually mocked their own players before, including Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, but this time the Osimhen video was seen as taking it too far and it attracted widespread outrage.
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