Former Napoli Chief Denies Osimhen's Racism Allegations
Former Napoli sporting director Mauro Meluso has issued a firm denial of racism accusations made by Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, stating the Italian club never racially abused the Super Eagles forward during his tenure. Osimhen, currently with Turkish club Galatasaray, recently reignited controversy by alleging Napoli treated him "like a dog" and failed to support him following a controversial TikTok post that surfaced after a missed penalty.
Meluso Insists TikTok Video Was 'Ironic'
Speaking to Radio Napoli Centrale, Meluso revealed that Napoli officials immediately moved to calm the situation after the controversial TikTok clip was released. "Regarding the TikTok video case, I remember that Nicola Lombardo and I calmed Osimhen down, he was furious the day after the video was released," Meluso stated. "We were accused of racism, but there was absolutely no intention of targeting one of our own players, it was meant to be ironic."
Meluso emphasized that Napoli as a club stands firmly against all forms of racism and rejected the notion that Osimhen was deliberately humiliated. "Woe betide anyone who would use racist language. Napoli rejects all forms of racism. The people of the city as well, I have great respect for Neapolitan fans," he declared.
Osimhen's Bitter Departure from Napoli
Osimhen's recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport sent shockwaves through Italian football circles. On the eve of Galatasaray's Champions League clash with Juventus, the Nigerian striker accused Napoli of broken promises and unfair treatment that ultimately forced his departure from the club. Despite scoring 76 goals in 133 matches for Napoli and playing a central role in their historic 2023 Serie A title win, Osimhen claimed the TikTok incident and the club's alleged lack of support damaged him emotionally and professionally.
Meluso acknowledged that the episode had a significant personal impact on the player but maintained there was no malicious intent behind the club's actions. "That TikTok video affected him deeply, also because a Nigerian government representative intervened with strong statements. It had a media and personal impact," Meluso explained. "For me, there was no intent to offend him, but someone instrumentalised the situation."
From Historic Triumph to Messy Separation
What once appeared as a lasting legacy for Osimhen at Napoli transformed into a contentious separation. The striker was instrumental in Napoli's first Serie A championship in 33 years during the 2022-2023 season, scoring 26 goals to secure the historic title. However, relations deteriorated following the TikTok controversy, leading to Osimhen's departure from Naples in the summer of 2024.
Osimhen initially joined Galatasaray on loan before sealing a permanent move after a successful season in Turkey. The separation marked a disappointing conclusion to what had been a highly productive partnership between player and club, with Osimhen's allegations casting a shadow over his otherwise successful stint in Italian football.
In a separate development, Osimhen recently took to social media to apologize directly to Galatasaray for accidentally damaging the club's stadium ceiling during post-match celebrations. While unrelated to the racism allegations, this incident demonstrates the striker's continued adjustment to his new environment in Turkish football.
