Children imitating Osimhen not racism – Mancini
Italian coach Roberto Mancini defended children dressed as Nigerian striker and Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen during Carnival week in Naples.
Sporting costumes, masks and capes, adults and children traditionally attend carnival dressed as one of their heroes - and this year several children have chosen to play Osimhen, who scored 20 goals in 24 games for Napoli this season.
In a video that has gained millions of views on Twitter, a user showed a boy dressed in the Napoli jersey and blacked out with a mask to look like Osimhen.
The band-aid drew backlash on social media, however, as fans denounced the culture as racism.
A Nigerian writer, Sabrina Efionayi, has taken to Facebook to criticize parents who allow their children to wear blackface during carnival.
"Whenever a black-skinned player excels in a team (in this case, Napoli), I always feel this huge angst about how people think he should be celebrated.
"From Gino Sorbillo painting his face black to show his solidarity with Koulibaly, to the children you painted brown in "honor" of Osimhen for the Carnival.
"Believe me, this is not celebrating at all. It gives me goosebumps if you think this is showing solidarity, fun or support for the Nigerian player. "
Mancini quickly took to Instagram to respond to Efionayi's criticism, posting an image of young fans in their Osimhen outfits.
"Where some see racism, I see only wonders," urged the Euro 2020 winner.
"Sport is about inclusion and you kids are giants!"
Italy's approach to racial sensitivity has been heavily challenged in recent years, particularly with regard to the popular television program 'Tale e Quale Show', which has seen white celebrities use blackface to transform into iconic musical artists and play like them.
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Italian coach Roberto Mancini defended children dressed as Nigerian striker and Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen during Carnival week in Naples.
Sporting costumes, masks and capes, adults and children traditionally attend carnival dressed as one of their heroes - and this year several children have chosen to play Osimhen, who scored 20 goals in 24 games for Napoli this season.
In a video that has gained millions of views on Twitter, a user showed a boy dressed in the Napoli jersey and blacked out with a mask to look like Osimhen.
The band-aid drew backlash on social media, however, as fans denounced the culture as racism.
A Nigerian writer, Sabrina Efionayi, has taken to Facebook to criticize parents who allow their children to wear blackface during carnival.
"Whenever a black-skinned player excels in a team (in this case, Napoli), I always feel this huge angst about how people think he should be celebrated.
"From Gino Sorbillo painting his face black to show his solidarity with Koulibaly, to the children you painted brown in "honor" of Osimhen for the Carnival.
"Believe me, this is not celebrating at all. It gives me goosebumps if you think this is showing solidarity, fun or support for the Nigerian player. "
Mancini quickly took to Instagram to respond to Efionayi's criticism, posting an image of young fans in their Osimhen outfits.
"Where some see racism, I see only wonders," urged the Euro 2020 winner.
"Sport is about inclusion and you kids are giants!"
Italy's approach to racial sensitivity has been heavily challenged in recent years, particularly with regard to the popular television program 'Tale e Quale Show', which has seen white celebrities use blackface to transform into iconic musical artists and play like them.
Please share this story:
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