Ebenezer Akinsanmiro was subjected to racist abuse from the crowd during a Serie B game between Brescia and Sampdoria at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti on Sunday.
The 20-year-old player reacted to the chants by making a “monkey” gesture towards the home fans after Sampdoria took a 1-0 lead in the first half. As a result, Akinsanmiro received a yellow card and was substituted shortly afterward.
Since joining Sampdoria on loan from Inter Milan, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has established himself as a vital cog in the team, featuring in 21 Serie B matches and contributing a goal from his midfield position.
To prevent future incidents, Sampdoria will have to take proactive measures to safeguard Akinsanmiro and combat the pervasive issue of racist fan behavior that has unfortunately impacted numerous players.
Given his quality and skills, it is probable that Akinsanmiro will return to the starting lineup for Sampdoria’s next match against Cesena despite the unfortunate event.
The determination of the former Remo Stars player to improve and learn from his experiences will be essential in helping Sampdoria going forward as the team seeks to avoid relegation.
