Orban: Black players ‘treated differently’ in Italy

Gift Orban: Black players ‘treated differently’ in Italy

Nigerian striker Gift Orban has claimed that Black players are “treated differently” in Italy after he was shown a red card during Serie A side Hellas Verona’s 2-1 defeat to Parma Calcio 1913.

The Nigerian international was sent off after just 10 minutes, with Verona already trailing by one goal. Orban appeared to calmly protest a potential foul from a Parma defender before the referee halted play and issued a straight red card to the 23-year-old.

Orban expressed frustration at the decision and suggested broader concerns.

“Sent off for protesting a decision. As a Black player in Italy, I can’t ignore how often we’re treated differently,” Orban wrote on his X account.

“I love the game, and all I ask for is fairness, respect, and equal treatment on the pitch.”

It is Orban’s first season in Serie A. He has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 22 league appearances for Verona this campaign. However, the Gialloblu remain in relegation trouble, sitting bottom of the table alongside Pisa on 15 points.

Following the match, Verona declined to send their coach for post-match media duties in protest. Instead, the club released a statement criticising the decision, though it did not reference allegations of racial bias.

“A very serious lack of respect towards a team, a city, a community and a fanbase,” the statement read.

“We always accept mistakes, just as we make them ourselves. However, we believe that the sending off after ten minutes of play, based on what was seen on the field and what we were told, is a signal of disrespect.”

The incident has added to ongoing discussions surrounding officiating standards and the experiences of Black players in Italian football.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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