Nigerian youngster Ebenezer Akinsanmiro endured racist abuse during Sunday’s Serie B match against Brescia at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti.
The Sampdoria midfielder reacted visibly to the offensive chants, mimicking a monkey gesture in the direction of Brescia supporters after his team took the lead in the first half.
The referee issued Akinsanmiro a yellow card for his response, and Sampdoria coach Leonardo Semplici substituted him shortly afterward, opting to avoid any escalation as the match progressed.
The 20-year-old, on loan from Inter Milan, was replaced by Ronaldo Vieira, with the coach acknowledging the young player's emotional state following the incident.
The home side’s coach, Pierpaolo Bisoli, claimed ignorance of the abuse, instead accusing Akinsanmiro of inciting the crowd with his gesture. “I didn’t hear anything, but you can’t provoke the public like that. You have to show respect,” Bisoli said post-match.
Akinsanmiro: Rising star at Sampdoria
Since joining Sampdoria on loan, Akinsanmiro has become a key player, making 21 league appearances this season and scoring once.
The Nigerian midfielder, who began his professional journey with Remo Stars before signing for Inter Milan in 2022, is under contract with the Nerazzurri until 2026.
His loan spell in Serie B has provided him with valuable minutes to hone his game and push for a place in Inter’s first team.
Incidents like Sunday’s underscore the need for Italian football to take stronger action against racism, with Sampdoria expected to provide their full support to Akinsanmiro in the aftermath.
Akinsanmiro is not the first Nigerian player to face racism in Italian football. Taribo West and Victor Osimhen have both publicly shared their experiences with similar abuse during their time in the country.
