In a Serie B match on January 12, a Brescia fan who racially abused Nigerian footballer Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who is on loan at Sampdoria from Inter Milan, was given a five-year stadium ban.
Following Sampdoria’s goal from Massimo Coda, the supporter in the stands at Stadio Mario Rigamonti hurled racist epithets at Akinsanmiro, referring to him as a “monkey.”
Sections of the home crowd further targeted the 20-year-old midfielder with monkey chants, resulting in the game being briefly halted before he was cautioned by the referee for responding to the chants.
In response, Akinsanmiro reacted by mimicking the gestures and sounds of a monkey, seemingly mocking his abusers before he was substituted by his coach.
Following investigations, the Italian authorities confirmed that the fan had been issued a “Daspo,” a preventative stadium ban that prohibits them from attending matches for five years, according to Il Giorno.
After breaking out at Beyond Limits Football Academy; the sister club of Nigeria Premier Football League side Remo Stars, Akinsanmiro joined Inter on deadline day in January 2023. He has featured prominently for the U-19 side before gaining promotion to the senior team last season.
A two-time winner of the prestigious Youth Viareggio Cup, Akinsanmiro has claimed a winners’ medal with Inter Milan in the Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Super Cup.
Now on loan at Sampdoria, he has been enjoying regular first-team football in Serie B, making 25 appearances and scoring one goal so far this campaign.
