Italian club, Hellas Verona have denied that Nigerian striker, Gift Orban was responsible for a social media post criticising a referee and raising concerns about racial treatment in Italian football following his dismissal against Parma.
Orban was sent off in the 11th minute of Verona’s defeat after protesting a challenge from Enrico Del Prato in the centre circle.
The forward reacted angrily to the incident and gestured towards referee Luca Pairetto, who responded by issuing a straight red card, leaving Verona to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Shortly after the game, a post on X circulated online from an account attributed to the 24-year-old.
The message questioned the decision and suggested that Black players in Italy are often treated differently.
“Sent off for protesting a decision. As a Black player in Italy, I can’t ignore how often we’re treated differently. I love the game, and all I ask for is fairness, respect, and equal treatment on the pitch,” it read.
Verona have since distanced the player from the statement, clarifying that the account does not belong to him.
In a response posted on X, the club stated, “In relation to a post published today on a social media profile on X attributed to Gift Orban, Hellas Verona clarifies that this profile does not belong to Gift Orban.”
Orban, who joined Verona in the summer, has been in solid form this season, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in 22 league appearances.
The club’s statement seeks to quell speculation surrounding the incident as attention turns to any potential disciplinary consequences from the red card.
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