Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare faces online racism after penalty miss

In a recent match against Club Brugge in the Belgium Pro League, Genk’s Nigerian forward, Tolu Arokodare, found himself at the centre of controversy. The game unfolded at the Cegeka Arena, where fifth-placed Genk aimed to outperform third-placed Brugge and climb the league standings.

In the 18th minute, Arokodare, who had already netted eight goals in 10 starts for Genk this season, stepped up to take a crucial penalty. Unfortunately, his shot missed the mark, shifting the momentum in favour of Club Brugge. The latter secured a decisive 3-0 victory, with goals from Hugo Vetlesen in the 18th minute and two more in the 73rd and 85th minutes.

However, the aftermath of the match took a disturbing turn. Arokodare faced racial abuse on social media, as certain individuals expressed their displeasure. Nigerian sports journalist Ojora Babatunde shared screenshots of these incidents, condemning the unacceptable behaviour of some Genk fans. His message was clear: “Genk #KRCGenkofficial forward, Tolu Arokodare #toluarokodare has been the victim of racial insults on social media by some Genk fans today for losing a penalty against Club Brugge #ClubBrugge in the early minutes of the game. This is unacceptable!!”

Challenges and the fight against racism

Arokodare’s journey at Genk began in the winter transfer window of 2023 when he signed as a replacement for fellow Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu, who had moved to Southampton. Since then, Arokodare has made 50 appearances for Genk, scoring an impressive 13 goals. While Belgium’s commitment to responsible gambling regulations is commendable, the challenge remains to strike a balance between player protection and the risk of driving players toward unregulated markets. Similarly, in the world of football, addressing racism and discrimination is an ongoing battle, and incidents like Arokodare’s experience underscore the need for continued vigilance and education within the sporting community.

———-The next SiGMA Africa Summit takes place in Cape Town between 11-13 March !  SiGMA Africa event kicks off in Cape Town, South Africa on the 11 March. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2023, SiGMA Group recognizes the need to foster collaboration and innovation within the industry.