Hassane Kamara stands firm after gesture amid racist abuse storm

​Hassane Kamara has opened up about the gesture he made towards Genoa fans during Udinese’s 2-0 win, explaining it was a human reaction to repeated insults from the stands.

The defender stuck his tongue out after being substituted late on, which immediately sparked anger from Genoa striker Lorenzo Colombo and a brief on-pitch confrontation.

Kamara later offered his side of the story on social media. “Quick clarification: if on Friday I left the field sticking my tongue out at the Genoa fans, it was only because I received insults and middle fingers. It was my way, joking and without violence, of responding.”

He stressed that such behaviour is out of character for him, adding: “In 12 years of career, I have never provoked anyone, and I won’t start now. Colombo got angry, that can happen”.

The 30-year-old thanked both sets of players and staff for calming things down, underlining that football “is a sport that brings people together” and should stay that way. But the incident took a darker turn online, where Kamara and teammate Keinan Davis were targeted with racist abuse.

Kamara warned those responsible that “the internet has a long memory, and this will not go unpunished,” making clear he will not ignore such attacks.