Garcia defends Napoli over Osimhen video row

Napoli manager Rudi Garcia has defended the Serie A champions following a video row involving Victor Osimhen.

The Partenopei posted a video on their TikTok account on Tuesday mocking Victor Osimhen after he missed a penalty in the club’s 0-0 draw against Bologna last weekend.

Osimhen was infuriated by the action and his agent threatened to take legal action against Napoli.

The 24-year-old also took down all images of him in the Partenopei jersey on his social media accounts.

The Nigeria international put the incident behind him by scoring and also providing an assist in Napoli’s 4-1 win against Udinese on Wednesday night.

Garcia in his reaction after the game said the club intend to hurt Osimhen in any way.

“I complimented him (Osimhen), which is different. I have had a very good rapport with Victor since the moment I arrived. I am happy because he scored a goal and centre-forwards always want to score goals. He too was unlucky hitting the crossbar and upright in the last few games, but I told him to stay focused on the game, Garcia was quoted by Football Italia.

“Technically, he provided an assist today, because I had named him as the penalty taker this evening. I do not take someone off penalty duties if they make a mistake, but he decided to give that assist to Zielinski.”

Garcia added: “Over the last two days there was a bit of trouble with some clumsy behaviour. Nobody wanted to be hurtful, not the TikTok with the video of Victor, nor Victor by taking his photographs down on social media. Nobody intended to hurt anyone, these are instinctive reactions and are understandable,” Garcia was quoted by Football Italia.

“It is his social media account, he can do what he wants with it. All I can say is that he loves this jersey and will give everything for Napoli this season as well.”

Osimhen ended a four-game goal drought with his goal against Udinese at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

It was his fourth of the campaign and it put him in the mix for the top scorer’s award again.

The striker scored 26 goals last season to emerge the leading marksman in the Italian top-flight.

He was the first African nay Nigerian to achieve the feat.