This is coming after a contentious ‘mockery’ video was
posted by Napoli’s verified TikTok handle, which openly mocked Osimhen for
missing a penalty against Bologna.
The video featured a high-pitched voice in the background
shouting, “gimme penalty please.” A subsequent video drew comparisons between
Osimhen and a coconut.
Osimhen has netted three times in six appearance in the
opening weeks of the season for misfiring Italian champions Napoli.
The 24-year-old has become an icon in Naples after scoring
31 times in all competitions last season as Napoli won their first league title
since 1990.
Osimhen, who was a target for Chelsea and Manchester United
in the summer, is in the process of negotiating a contract extension with
Napoli, with his current deal expiring in June 2025.
He was signed by Napoli from Lille for an initial 70 million
euros just over three years ago, a transfer which is being investigated by
Italian authorities.
‘Legal Action Threat’
Victor Osimhen’s agent threatened legal action against
Napoli after the video published on the club’s official social media mocking
him for missing a penalty in the weekend’s goalless draw at Bologna.
“What happened today on Napoli’s official profile on the
TikTok platform is not acceptable. A video mocking Victor was first made public
and then, but now belatedly, deleted,” Calenda said on Twitter, now called X,
late on Tuesday evening.
“(It is) A serious fact that causes very serious damage to
the player and adds to the treatment that the boy is suffering in the last
period between media trials and fake news.
“We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful
initiative to protect Victor.”
On Tuesday Italian media reported that Napoli president
Aurelio De Laurentiis is among those being investigated by prosecutors in Rome
for allegedly falsely inflating the value of the transfer with four players
sold to Lille as part of the deal.
Napoli are seventh in Serie A, seven points behind league
leaders Inter Milan after winning just two of their opening five domestic
matches.