Aboukhlal’s apology fails to halt racist online attacks after Serie A tackle

Zakaria Aboukhlal has been subjected to widespread abuse, threats and racist comments after his challenge left Frosinone striker Antonio Raimondo with a serious left-ankle injury.

The Torino player was targeted on social media following his side’s Italian league match against Frosinone on Sunday, according to Foot Mercato. Raimondo was hurt during a strong challenge by the Morocco international, prompting an offensive reaction online after the severity of the injury was officially confirmed.

Aboukhlal’s latest Instagram post was flooded with insults because of his involvement in the incident. Some users sent messages including: “You carpenter, go back to work!”, “Retire!” and “You are ruining other people’s careers!”

The attacks went well beyond criticism of a footballing incident, with the Torino player also receiving threats and racist abuse.

The reaction has been particularly regrettable because Aboukhlal apologised to Raimondo immediately after the match. The midfielder said he was sorry for the injury and made clear that he had never intended to hurt the Frosinone forward.

“I’m sorry for Raimondo, I never meant to hurt him,” Aboukhlal said.

That apology did not satisfy some supporters, whose responses crossed the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. The online comments continued despite the player’s expression of regret and his insistence that the challenge was not intended to cause harm.

The incident followed a Serie A meeting between Torino and Frosinone, with Raimondo sustaining damage to his left ankle during the match. The announcement of the injury triggered the subsequent wave of abuse directed at Aboukhlal through social media.