Roberto Mancini defends children ‘blacking up’ as Napoli goal machine Victor Osimhen
Roberto Mancini has leapt to the defence of parents whose children ‘blacked’ up to impersonate Napoli’s goal machine Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen, who wears a mask to protect a facial fracture, has been in fine form for league leaders Napoli this season, and in what appeared to be an ode to the striker, some children chose to embody the Nigerian’s look by dressing as him and ‘blacking up’ to depict his features. The event in question happened during the carnival weekend in Naples last weekend, where kids dress up as their favourite players while sporting costumes, masks and capes.
But some critics took offence to the actions of the children, and their parents were slammed by Neapolitan writer Sabrina Efionayi for allowing the kids to wear black makeup. She shared her angst on social media in a scathing post which said, via the Daily Mail: “Every time a player with black skin excels in a team (in this case, Napoli), I always feel this tremendous angst over how people think he should be celebrated.
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“From [Gino] Sorbillo painting his face black to show solidarity with Koulibaly, to the children you painted brown in “honour” of Osimhen for Carnival. Trust me, it is not celebrating him at all. It gives me goosebumps if you think it is showing solidarity, being amusing or supportive of the Nigerian player.”
However, her disdain wasn’t shared by Italy boss Mancini who came out to question why the writer made the kid’s actions about race, while labelling them ‘giants’ and stressing sport is about inclusivity. Mancini retorted on Instagram: “Where some see racism, I see only wonder. Sport is inclusion and you kids are giants!”
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(Image: INTERENET PICTURE)
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The row unfortunately overshadows the impact Osimhen has had at Napoli this season. His impressive haul of 20 goals in 24 matches has helped catapult his side to the top of the Serie A where they sit 15 points clear of Inter Milan. It has also reportedly made him a target for some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
(Image: INTERENET PICTURE)
The forward’s goal in Napoli’s 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League second-round tie on Tuesday ensured stopper Kevin Trapp’s sex-mad wife had a lacklustre night after she revealed he doesn’t want to do it when his side loses. But Osimhen could be playing in the Premier League next season with English titans Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal all said to be interested in signing him.
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