Italian football club Napoli has responded to the controversy surrounding a video posted on TikTok, in which striker Victor Osimhen was referred to as having a “coconut head.” The club, however, has refused to issue an apology, stating that they did not intentionally offend or mock Osimhen. In a statement released on Thursday, Napoli emphasized that the player is highly valued by the club and that they had rejected multiple transfer offers for him during the summer window.
The now-deleted video depicted Osimhen expressing a desire to take a penalty kick during their recent match against Bologna, only to miss the shot. Additionally, an earlier video showed photos of Osimhen’s head accompanied by the voiceover, “I have a coconut head.” Both videos had caused displeasure among Osimhen and his representatives, with the player’s agent condemning the club’s actions and threatening legal action. Osimhen even removed pictures of himself wearing Napoli’s shirt from his Instagram page.
While Napoli acknowledged that these videos were posted on their official TikTok account, they maintained that their intent was not to insult or ridicule Osimhen. The club argued that TikTok is known for its lighthearted content, and that the videos were part of the platform’s expressive and creative nature. Nonetheless, Napoli expressed that if Osimhen felt offended in any way, it was not their intention.
Napoli’s stance on the matter is supported by their previous actions, as they had rejected all offers to transfer Osimhen during the summer training retreat. The club considers Osimhen a valuable asset, and they are keen to protect him from any potential transfers abroad.
