Nigerian football players in Europe have been following the recent developments with the ongoing #EndSARS protests in major parts of Nigeria, including Lagos and the FCT. They identify with the Nigerian youths and joined in the call for an end to police brutality and reforms in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
The football stars have tweeted their opinion and support for the #EndSARS protests at different times, via their official Twitter handle.
Backstory
Recall that the Super Eagles celebrated their only goal, by taking the knee in their 1-1 stalemate with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia during the international friendly match on Tuesday, October 13th. The unique celebration was done in recognition of the #EndSARS protests.
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What they are saying
Victor Osimhen, who plays for Napoli FC in Italy, sent a supportive message via a shirt inscription, displayed after scoring a goal in their last football match. The inscription reads, “EndPoliceBrutality in Nigeria.”
In a controversial tweet via her official Twitter handle, Nigerian and Barcelona FC female football star, Asisat Oshoala wrote, “Nigeria is a JUNGLE !!! #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality.”
The tweet drew a lot of backlash and she clarified with another tweet,
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“I LOVE NIGERIA, NIGERIA HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING even if it wasn’t in the easiest way, that is why I will also GIVE MY ALL in my own little way …make it EASIER for the next generation. NA ALL OF US GATHER LOVE THIS COUNTRY but NOT HAPPY #SARSMUSTEND #EndPoliceBrutalityInNigeria“
Tuesday evening, Nigerian and Manchester United striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, posted a video on his Twitter page saying, “The Nigerian government, you guys are a shame to the world for killing your own citizens, sending the military to the streets to kill unarmed protesters because they are protesting for their own rights? It’s uncalled for.
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“You people will be remembered in history as the first government to send the military to the city to start killing their own citizens. I am ashamed of this government, we are tired of you guys and we can’t take this anymore.”
Ighalo also called for support in his video saying, “I’m calling the UK government, calling all those leaders in the world to please see what’s going on in Nigeria and help us.
“This government, they are killers, and they will keep killing if the world does not talk about this.”
Other internationals who have spoken in support of the #EndSARS protests are Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Troost Ekong, Victor Moses, amongst others.