Defender Kenneth Omeruo has raised concerns over the alarming trend of fans resorting to cyberbullying and issuing death threats on social media platforms. Omeruo, the 2013 African champion, revealed in an interview with Arise TV that his teammate Ola Aina had become a target of such threats on his Instagram account.
Expressing his dismay over the incident, Omeruo highlighted the severity of the situation, citing a disturbing message directed at Aina, which read, “I hope you die.”
The intimidation is believed to be fueled not only by disappointment over the defeat but also by financial losses incurred in betting on the match.
The Nigerian defender emphasized the need for footballers to develop resilience against such online abuse, emphasizing that the aggressors often display frustration due to unsuccessful wagers or disinterest in the actual game.
Omeruo stressed the importance of maintaining a strong mental outlook, focusing on winning matches, and not letting the negative reactions affect the players.
Drawing attention to the broader implications of cyberbullying, Omeruo underscored its potential to deter players from representing the national team.
He cited the case of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who declined a call-up in 2022 after facing threats from supporters. Omeruo expressed concern that losing valuable players due to fan hostility could significantly impact the team’s performance.
Addressing the issue, Omeruo remarked, “If we lose a player like him just because of bullying from some fans, it’s not important.
This will affect us. He was one of the best players in the tournament and made the all-tournament team.
He had a bad match, and you kill him, it’s not very nice.” The footballer’s statements shed light on the challenges footballers face in navigating the negative aspects of social media in the aftermath of high-stakes sporting events.
