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Roberto Mancini has sensationally defended children ‘blacking up’ as Napoli – and Serie A top scorer – forward, Victor Osimhen.
A number of youngsters were spotted ‘blacking up’ during carnival week in Naples where children traditionally dress as one of their heroes.
This year, several chose to dress as Osimhen, who has scored 20 goals in 24 games for the league leaders this season.
Neapolitan writer Sabrina Efionayi hit out at the Italian culture and criticised the parents who allowed their children to ‘black up’ as Osimhen.
Although Efionayi understood why people wanted to dress up as their id0l, she admitted that it was concerning that so many didn’t understand why ‘blacking up’ is offensive.
“Every time a player with black skin excels in a team (in this case, Napoli), I always feel this tremendous angst over how people think he should be celebrated,” she said in a post on Facebook.
“From [Gino] Sorbillo painting his face black to show solidarity with Koulibaly, to the children you painted brown in “honour” of Osimhen for Carnival.
“Trust me, it is not celebrating him at all. It gives me goosebumps if you think it is showing solidarity, being amusing or supportive of the Nigerian player.”
Italy boss Mancini was quick to defend those that dressed top as the Nigeria international in a post on Instagram.
“Where some see racism, I see only wonder,” the former Manchester City boss said. “Sport is inclusion and you kids are giants!”
Mancini has however since deleted the post.
Football in Italy has witnessed a number of issues with racism. In 2019, Serie A landed themselves in hot water after artwork for an anti-racism campaign contained three paintings go monkeys.
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