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‘Where some see racism, I see only astonishment’: Italy boss Roberto Mancini DEFENDS that children are ‘blackened’ like Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen… as parents of young fans come under fire for putting black faces on their children during carnival week
- Roberto Mancini has defended ‘blackened’ children like striker Victor Osimhen
- The Neapolitan writer Sabrina Efionayi has strongly criticized the use of blackface.
- Efionayi lashed out at Italian culture, which has struggled against racism in recent years.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini defended ‘blackened’ children like Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen during carnival week in Naples.
Sporting suits, masks and capes, adults and children alike traditionally attend the carnival dressed as one of its heroes, and this year several children chose to embody Osimhen, who has scored 20 goals in 24 games for Napoli this season.
Criticizing Italian culture, Neapolitan writer Sabrina Efionayi, who, like Osimhen, is of Nigerian descent, took to social media to criticize parents for allowing their children to wear blackface during carnival.
Since then, Mancini has stood up for parents and children, insisting that “where some see racism, I see only wonder.”
Despite understanding why young fans wanted to dress that way, Efionayi felt it was alarming that Italians didn’t understand why ‘going dark’ is offensive.
Italy boss Roberto Mancini has defended “blackened” children like Napoli star Victor Osimhen
Mancini, who won Euro 2020 with Italy after beating England in the final, added: “Sport is inclusion and you kids are giants!”
She said on Facebook: “Whenever a black-skinned player stands out in a team (in this case Napoli), I always feel tremendous angst about how people think he should be celebrated.”
‘Of [Gino] Sorbillo painting his face black to show solidarity with Koulibaly, he painted the children brown in “honor” of Osimhen for Carnival.
Trust me, he’s not celebrating it at all. He gives me goosebumps if you think he’s supportive, funny or supportive of the Nigerian player.”
Mancini quickly took to Instagram to respond to Efionayi’s criticism, posting an image of young fans in their Osimhen outfits.
“Where some see racism, I only see amazement,” urged the Euro 2020 winner. ‘Sport is inclusion and you children are giants!’
Italy’s approach to racial sensitivity has been much questioned in recent years, especially in connection with the popular TV show ‘Tale e Quale Show’, in which white celebrities wore blackface to transform themselves into iconic music artists. and act like them.
Osimhen has been on fire this season, scoring 20 goals in 24 games in all competitions.
In broader terms beyond blackface, Italy has struggled to deal with racism in sport.
Serie A got into trouble in 2019 after artwork for an anti-racism campaign included three paintings of monkeys.
Several black players have also suffered racial abuse in Italian stadiums in recent years: Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie were the subject of derogatory chants from Lazio fans, prompting AC Milan to file an official complaint in 2021.
And two months ago, Italian rugby player Cherif Traore accused his teammates of racism after he was given a rotten banana during an anonymous Secret Santa gift exchange at Christmas.