Opinion — SSC Napoli proves social media is a powerful weapon

Despite an empty apology from the football club, Osimhen’s racist treatment on TikTok has already done irreversible damage.

Victor Osimhen may be the first footballer to sue his own club over social media mistreatment.

The 24-year-old threatened legal action against SSC Napoli last week, after the club shared videos mocking Osimhen to their TikTok channel.

The tone of the content was undeniably racist, and all videos have since been deleted. But the damage has been done — on all sides.

Napoli’s actions caused immediate outrage in the football sphere and beyond. One video, in which Osimhen was compared to a coconut, drew significant vitriol.

Osimhen’s decision to sue the club was met with widespread support, and has since prompted SSC Napoli to issue their own public statement.

‘[It was] never the club’s intent to offend Victor’ Napoli said in a statement. ‘Proof of this…