Napoli have released a club statement over the ongoing row with star striker Victor Osimhen.
The reigning Serie A champions have been embroiled in a feud with the Nigerian following a series of offensive TikToks from the club's official account that were aimed at the 24-year-old.
The first video, which has since been deleted, referred to Osimhen as a 'coconut', and while it was said to reference an old tweet from the striker, it was also accused at having racial undertones.
A second TikTok then mocked Osimhen for a performance in Napoli's 0-0 draw with Bologna where the striker missed a penalty.
Yesterday, Osimhen scrubbed his socials of any reference to Napoli, and deleted all photos of him in the Napoli kit, which has increased speculation that he could be on his way out.
In turn, Napoli released a club statement, with an apology expected.
However, nowhere in the release did it say 'sorry' to Osimhen, with the club, rightfully, coming in for a host of criticism on social media.
Napoli Severely Criticised For Their Club Statement On Victor Osimhen Situation
Could have also said sorry but instead they’ve got all defensive. Embarrassing
— Jonty (@CarefreeJonty) September 28, 2023
" if Victor perceived any offence towards him, this was not what the club intended”
Gaslighting A1
— MEJE ✪ (@callmeMEJE) September 28, 2023
Napoli statement on their now-deleted TikTok mocking Victor Osimhen.
105 words… and yet not one of them is ‘sorry’. If anything this is worse than saying nothing. pic.twitter.com/UCH7Fic6qQ
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 28, 2023
Wow, this is about as terrible as it can be. "The club's technical asset". Maybe just lost in translation but sounds horribly callous
— Dallas Peyton (@Dallaswpeyton18) September 28, 2023
READ HERE: Victor Osimhen's Row With Napoli Over Bizarre Tik Tok Videos, Explained
You can read the full statement below:
"Napoli, wishing to avoid any exploitation of the issue, point out that we never wanted to offend or mock Victor Osimhen, who is a treasure of this club.
"As proof of that, during the summer training retreat, the Club firmly rebuffed every offer that was received for the striker’s transfer abroad.
"Social media, in particular TikTok, has always used an expressive form of language with a light heart and creativity, without wanting to, as in the case with Osimhen as protagonist, have any intention of insult or derision.
"In any case, if Victor perceived any offence towards him, this was not what the club intended."
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