Napoli apologizes to Osimhen after embarrassing TikTok video

Napoli apologizes to Osimhen over TikTok incident; coach clarifies player's commitment to the club amid social media reactions.

Napoli has apologized to Victor Osimhen for an ill-advised post on the club's TikTok account that appeared to mock the striker for missing a penalty against Bologna. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Napoli has released a club statement to apologize to star striker Victor Osimhen following a post on the club’s TikTok account that appeared to mock the Nigerian for missing a penalty.

Osimhen won a penalty midway into the second half against Bologna last weekend, and he stepped up to take the spot kick but fired wide from six yards out. A video posted on the Napoli social media account mocked the Nigerian for the miss.

In a swift response to the embarrassing video that has now been deleted from the Napoli TikTok account, the top striker has also deleted every picture relating to Napoli from his Instagram account, and a video went viral where Osimhen appeared to snub his fellow teammates on arrival at training.

"To avoid any potential exploitation of the matter, SSC Napoli would like to explicitly state that the club never intended to offend or make fun of Victor Osimhen, who is an asset to the club." A club statement on Thursday reads. 

"Over the course of the summer, Napoli rejected all offers to sign the striker—firm proof of the club's appreciation of him.

"On social media and TikTok, particularly, expressive language is used in a light-hearted and playful manner. In this case, involving Victor, there was no intention of mockery or derision." If Victor was in any way offended, this was not at all in the club's intentions."

The club coach, Rudi Garcia, has said the player is fully committed to the club despite the hurtful video that he labels "clumsy", The Spaniard confirmed this in his post-match conference after the 4-1 win over the Udinese, with Osimhen scoring the second.

"Nobody wanted to do harm, neither TikTok nor Victor on their social networks. No harm was intended, but there were instinctive reactions. I don't know if now Osimhen will publish his photos on social media again with the [Napoli] shirt."