Napoli clarified that its now-deleted social media post was not meant to ridicule Victor Osimhen of Nigeria.
The TikTok post, which was subsequently removed, displayed Osimhen missing a penalty in a Serie A match, accompanied by a high-pitched voice requesting a penalty.
This resulted in a strong reaction from Roberto Calenda, Osimhen’s agent, who threatened legal action against Napoli over the video’s publication.
Calenda tweeted, “(It is) A serious fact that causes very serious damage to the player and adds to the treatment that the boy is suffering in the last period between media trials and fake news. We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful initiative to protect Victor.”
Napoli, however, maintained that they had no harmful intentions.
In a statement issued on Thursday, they stated, “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.”
Napoli further explained that during the summer training retreat, the club had firmly rejected all offers for the striker’s transfer abroad.
The statement continued, “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 a protagonist, have any intention of insult or derision. In any case, if Victor perceived any offense towards him, this was not what the club intended.”
