Napoli have reacted a controversial TikTok video on its striker and Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen.
This week, it was reported that Osimhen could take legal action against Napoli for an ‘unacceptable’ TikTok video allegedly meant to mock him for missing a penalty kick during an encounter with Bologna in a Serie A match.
But, the Serie A club in a statement said it couldn’t have offended or mocked Osimhen, whom it treasured as a player.
It read: “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.
“As proof of that, during the summer training retreat, the Club firmly rebuffed every offer that was received 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 protagonist, have any intention of insult or derision.
“In any case, if Victor perceived any offence towards him, this was not what the club intended.”
Recall that on Tuesday evening, Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, had reacted to the TikTok video, saying: “What happened today on Napoli’s official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable. A video mocking Victor was first made public and then, but now belatedly, deleted.
“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.”
Calenda added: “We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful initiative to protect Victor”.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Napoli posted, and soon deleted, a video of Osimhen’s penalty miss from their clash against Bologna with a sped-up voice dubbed over the top.
However, on Wednesday night, Osimhen started and scored for Napoli as they recorded a 4-1 win over Udinese in the Serie A.
