Nigerian midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro faced racist abuse during a Serie B match between Brescia and Sampdoria on Sunday, January 12, at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti. The 21-year-old, currently on loan to Sampdoria from Inter Milan, became the target of monkey noises and chants from a section of Brescia supporters shortly after kick-off.
According to Corriere della Sera, the abuse began early in the game, with loud boos and monkey chants directed at Akinsanmiro. The situation escalated to the point that the stadium announcer had to repeatedly call for the offensive behaviour to stop, warning that the match could be suspended if it persisted.
Tensions peaked around the 30th minute when Sampdoria took the lead through a goal by Coda. In reaction to the goal and the continuous abuse, Akinsanmiro celebrated by mimicking a monkey gesture toward the offending section of the crowd.
While the action was seen as a defiant response to the racist chants, it led to the referee booking him, further fueling the hostility in the stadium. As the match progressed, Akinsanmiro became a target for rough challenges, prompting Sampdoria coach Leonardo Semplici to substitute him around the 40th minute to protect him from further harm or disciplinary actions.
Leaving the pitch, Akinsanmiro sarcastically applauded the crowd, a final act of defiance against the abuse he endured. After the match, Brescia coach Pierpaolo Bisoli made controversial remarks, claiming he hadn’t heard the racist chants despite the repeated interventions by the stadium announcer and the referee.
Bisoli criticized Akinsanmiro’s reaction, stating, “You can’t provoke the public like that. Regardless, you must show respect.” In contrast, Sampdoria coach Semplici defended Akinsanmiro, describing him as the best player on the field before the incident.
Semplici expressed disappointment over the situation and questioned Bisoli’s claim of ignorance, pointing out that even the referee acknowledged the abuse during the game.
