The debate on ‘racism’ in Italy! The children wanted to be like Victor Osimhen…
Italy national team coach Roberto Mancini said it was not racist for some children to paint their faces black to look like Victor Osimhen at the Naples carnival.
Both adults and children participated in the traditional carnival wearing sports costumes, masks and capes. Nigerian-born Neapolitan writer Sabrina Efionayi was criticized by some children who dressed up as Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and painted their faces black. Criticizing Italian culture, Efionayi criticized parents of children who paint their faces black at carnival.
Efionayi said she understands that Osimhen fanatic children paint their faces, but it is alarming to parents who do not understand that this is a racist and offensive move.
“YOU ARE GOING TO STOP MY HAIRS”
Sharing on Facebook, Efionayi used the following statements:
“I worry that when a black actor is successful, people don’t know how to praise him. From Gino Sorbillo, who painted his face black to show solidarity with Koulibaly, to the children you painted brown in ‘honor’ of Osimhen at the carnival. Trust me, this is not a celebration. If you think you are supportive and support the Nigerian footballer, you give me goosebumps.”
The coach of the Italian national team, Roberto Mancini, responded to Efionayi’s criticism by sharing the photos of the children in question on his Instagram account.
Napoli’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
MANCINI: KIDS ARE GIANTS
“Where some see racism, I only see curiosity. Sport is inclusion and you are giants!”. she used his statements.
THE PROBLEM OF RACISM IN ITALY
Italy has long fought against racism in football. Serie A came under intense criticism after the draw for an anti-racist campaign in 2019 featured three monkeys.
In recent years, the number of racist attacks against black players in Italian stadiums has increased. Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie were the subject of contemptuous cheers from Lazio fans, prompting AC Milan to file a formal complaint in 2021.
Just two months ago, Italian rugby player Cherif Traore accused his teammates of racism, who gave him rotten bananas in anonymous gift wrapping for Christmas.
Roberto Mancini.