African Football Journal

Treatment of African Footballers in Serie A: A Disgrace Hiding in Plain Sight 🇮🇹⚽️🌍 

By Tunde David Animashaun

Over the past few years, we have witnessed a deeply troubling pattern in Italian football — a league that prides itself on prestige, yet continues to show disregard for the very African talents who keep its flame burning.

Let’s talk about it. Loudly. Clearly. And with evidence.

📸 Victor Osimhen – Napoli 🇳🇬

After gifting Napoli their first Scudetto in 33 years, Osimhen was humiliated — not by rivals, but by his own club. Napoli’s official TikTok page mocked him over a missed penalty in a tasteless, racially insensitive video. Instead of being honoured as a hero, Osimhen was vilified, lowballed with contract negotiations, and eventually pushed toward the exit door.

Thankfully, he’s landed at Galatasaray, where he’s already being celebrated for who he is: a top striker and a world-class professional.

📸 Ademola Lookman – Atalanta 🇳🇬

After a hat-trick in the Europa League final — a feat that secured Atalanta’s first-ever major European trophy — Lookman, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, shockingly had to write an open letter revealing his frustrations with the club’s poor treatment and lack of support.

From cold contract handling to communication breakdowns, Lookman deserved a statue — not silence.

📸 Franck Kessié – AC Milan 🇨🇮

Kessié was the engine behind AC Milan’s 2021/22 Serie A title. But what was his reward? Constant scapegoating by media, whispers of ‘attitude issues,’ and an unceremonious exit. No proper send-off, no gratitude, just silence — as if his blood, sweat, and leadership meant nothing.

📸 Blaise Matuidi – Juventus 🇫🇷🇦🇫

Though French, Matuidi is of African descent. In multiple Serie A games, he endured racist chants from fans while playing for Juventus. Despite his calls for protection, the league’s response was slow and tepid. Matuidi later said, “You feel alone. The silence is the worst part.”

The Pattern is Clear

Whether it’s poor contract handling, mockery, racism, or a lack of institutional support, African players in Serie A face a toxic cocktail of disrespect and dismissal. The league benefits immensely from African excellence — yet continues to treat these athletes as disposable.

 Conclusion

Africa continues to give the world football its flair, power, and pride. If Serie A truly wants to maintain its global relevance, it must do better. Respect is not a favour; it’s a right earned by sweat and sacrifice.

We stand with every African player who has faced injustice. And we won’t be silent.

#RespectAfricanPlayers #SerieA

#Osimhen #Lookman #Kessie #Matuidi

#SayNoToRacism #FootballJustice #AfricanExcellence