Striker Tolu Arokodare found himself subjected to racist insults from some sections of his own club’s supporters. The unfortunate episode unfolded after Genk suffered a 3-0 defeat in a closely contested match.
Despite the disappointing result, the 18th-minute penalty miss by Tolu Arokodare became a focal point for certain disgruntled supporters who resorted to expressing their displeasure through racist remarks on social media platforms.
The management of KRC Genk swiftly addressed the reprehensible incident in an official press release issued on Monday, unequivocally condemning the racial abuse directed at the Nigerian striker.
In the statement, the club asserted, “After the match against Club Brugge, Tolu received a series of racist reactions on social media.
Racism has no place. Not in football stadiums, not on social media, anywhere. Unfortunately, racism is still deeply rooted in football and, by extension, society as a whole.
Putting an end to this is a shared responsibility.”
Emphasizing a commitment to combating racism, KRC Genk pledged to employ all available resources to identify the individuals responsible for the abusive comments and subsequently report them to the police.
The club’s resolute stance against racism aligns with broader efforts to eradicate such discriminatory behavior from the beautiful game and society at large.
On the sporting front, Arokodare has been a vital presence for Genk throughout the season, contributing eight goals and two assists in 27 league matches.
The incident underscores the persistent challenges football faces in eliminating racism, prompting a collective call for continued vigilance and proactive measures to create an inclusive and respectful environment within the sport.
