Ebenezer Akinsanmiro Faces Racist Abuse During Brescia Match
Nigerian 20-year-old footballer Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, currently on loan at Sampdoria, was subjected to racist abuse during a Serie B match against Brescia.
Italy’s two major clubs, Juventus and Inter Milan, voiced their support for the player on the X platform (formerly Twitter) and condemned the incident with strong messages.
Akinsanmiro, who joined Sampdoria on loan last summer, has quickly impressed with his performances and established himself as a regular starter.
Despite his excellent form, the player faced racist “monkey” chants from Brescia fans during the match. The situation worsened after Sampdoria scored a goal, with the abuse intensifying.
In response to the chants, Akinsanmiro made ironic monkey gestures toward the crowd. To prevent further escalation and protect the player, Sampdoria head coach Leonardo Semplici decided to substitute him.
However, this decision sparked significant backlash, with many criticizing the coach’s choice. Brescia head coach Pierpaolo Bisoli went as far as accusing Akinsanmiro of inciting the crowd.
Inter Milan showed their support for the player by posting on Twitter:
“We are all brothers of the world.”
Juventus also stood by Akinsanmiro, replying to Sampdoria’s post with the statement:
“Never again. Juventus is against racism.”
Akinsanmiro’s agent, Crescenzo Cecere, commented on the incident, saying:
“Akinsanmiro responded with a smile, and that’s what matters. He was the best player on the pitch, and unfortunately, that made him a target for verbal attacks. Racism must be completely condemned.”
Cecere added that the player’s reaction was admirable despite the unpleasant situation. He emphasized that such incidents highlight the urgent need to address racism in football and beyond.