Napoli has clarified that the club’s now-deleted TikTok post was not intended to mock Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
Gatekeepers News reports that the video, which showed Osimhen missing a penalty in a Serie A match with a high-pitched voice saying “gimme penalty please,” caused controversy and a legal threat from Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda.
In response to the video, Osimhen deleted all Napoli-related posts on his Instagram account.
Napoli, which recently won its first Scudetto in three decades, stated that the club did not intend any harm with the TikTok post.
“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,” the statement read.
“As proof of that, during the summer training retreat, the Club firmly rebuffed every offer that was received for the striker’s transfer abroad.
“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 a 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”.
