In a recent match between Sampdoria and Brescia, Nigerian striker Ebenezer Akinsanmiro faced racist insults from the crowd. In response, the 20-year-old talent, who is on loan from Inter Milan, imitated a monkey by moving sideways, bending his knees, and thumping his chest after his team scored the first goal. This act took place under the goal of Brescia’s goalkeeper, Luca Lezzerini, who gently touched Akinsanmiro on the back to urge him to let the matter drop.
Sampdoria’s coach, Leonardo Semplici, replaced Akinsanmiro with Ronaldo Vieira a few minutes later to prevent the situation from escalating and because he understood that his player was too affected to maintain his full attention on the game. However, Brescia’s coach, Pierpaolo Bisoli, criticized Akinsanmiro’s actions, stating that he believed the player was inciting violence and that such behavior was disrespectful to the public.
Akinsanmiro’s response to the racist chants highlights the ongoing issue of racism in football and the emotional toll it takes on players. Despite the challenges, Akinsanmiro remains a promising talent, having started his career with the Remo Stars before moving to Inter Milan. He is currently trying to earn a place in the squad with his loan spell at Sampdoria.
