Orban reacts to early red card: black players ‘treated differently’ in Serie A

Hellas Verona striker Gift Orban calls for ‘equal treatment on the pitch’ after being shown an early red card in a Serie A game against Parma: ‘As a Black player in Italy, I can’t ignore how often we’re treated differently.’

Verona striker Orban complained about a straight red card he received in the opening minutes of an eventual 2-1 loss at Parma on Sunday.

Orban: Black players ‘treated differently’ in Serie A

The Nigeria international had been given his marching orders after just 10 minutes, with his team already down one goal.

Orban appeared to calmly protest for a potential foul from a Parma defender, but the referee was quick to stop the play to show the 23-year-old a red card.

“Sent off for protesting a decision. As a Black player in Italy, I can’t ignore how often we’re treated differently,” Orban added on X social media.

“I love the game, and all I ask for is fairness, respect, and equal treatment on the pitch.”

Orban has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 22 Serie A appearances with Verona this season.

This is his first season in Serie A, but his positive performances still couldn’t help Verona in their race for survival as the Gialloblu sit at the bottom of the table alongside Pisa with 15 points.

Verona didn’t send their coach to comment on the game at full-time as a sign of protest. They only released a statement, which, however, didn’t mention racism issues: “A very serious lack of respect towards a team, a city, a community and a fanbase,” the club said.

“We always accept mistakes, just as we make them ourselves. However, we believe that the sending off after ten minutes play, based on what was seen on the field and what we were told, is a signal of disrespect.”