In a tense Serie B encounter between Sampdoria and Brescia, 20-year-old Nigerian midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro became the target of vile racist abuse from sections of the home fans. However, the incident has sparked an outpouring of support for the young star, with clubs like Juventus and his parent side Inter Milan standing firmly by his side.

The match started as a routine fixture, but tensions escalated when Sampdoria took the lead through Massimo Coda. As the game progressed, Brescia fans began directing monkey chants at Akinsanmiro, whose exceptional performance on the pitch had clearly irked them. Refusing to let the abuse go unnoticed, Akinsanmiro responded with ironic monkey gestures aimed at his abusers, a defiant act that drew both criticism and admiration.

Sampdoria coach Leonardo Semplici quickly substituted the Nigerian midfielder to prevent further escalation. Brescia coach Pierpaolo Bisoli accused Akinsanmiro of “provoking” the crowd, a claim that was widely condemned by football fans and pundits alike.

Despite the controversy, Akinsanmiro’s response has drawn praise from his agent, Crescenzo Cecere, who described it as a “provocative but beautiful” way to stand against racism. “He took it with a smile, and that’s what matters. He was the best player on the pitch, and unfortunately, this made him a target for verbal attacks,” Cecere stated.

Inter Milan and Juventus wasted no time in expressing their solidarity with the young player. Inter Milan posted on Twitter, saying, “We’re all brothers of the world,” while Juventus responded to Sampdoria’s post with the message: “Never again. Juventus against racism.”

Akinsanmiro, a product of Beyond Limits Football Academy in Nigeria, has been a standout performer for Sampdoria this season, making 21 appearances and scoring once. His move to Italy began when he joined Inter Milan in January 2023, where he shone in their U-19 squad before earning his senior debut.

Now on loan at Sampdoria, Akinsanmiro is proving himself on the pitch, but the ugly incident in Brescia highlights the challenges that talented young African players continue to face abroad.

While the incident is a sobering reminder of the persistence of racism in football, the overwhelming support Akinsanmiro has received is a testament to the growing unity within the sport against discrimination. As his agent aptly put it, “Racism must be completely condemned.”

For Akinsanmiro, the focus now will be to keep shining on the pitch, where his talent speaks louder than any insult ever could.