The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued a stern statement strongly condemning the “unacceptable racist abuse” directed at Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo on social media.
The disturbing online attacks occurred in the wake of a recent incident at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, which served as the national team’s pre-WAFCON training camp.
The squad spent 10 days at the facility before moving to Rabat, where they will play their three group matches.
In its official release, the NFF provided definitive clarity on the hotel situation that preceded the online harassment. The federation confirmed that the individual responsible for a theft at the team’s camp was swiftly apprehended by authorities.
Justice was served promptly, with the perpetrator made to return the stolen cash in full before being sentenced to six months in prison.
Given the swift legal resolution of the crime, the NFF expressed absolute bewilderment and outrage at the unwarranted backlash against their forward.
“The racist abuse and emojis directed at our player make absolutely no sense,” the NFF stated, firmly reiterating that “discrimination in any form has no place in football or society”.
The governing body underscored that the safety, dignity, and overall well-being of its players remain its utmost priority.
Despite the unsettling off-field distraction, the morale within the Nigerian camp appears unbreakable. The NFF assured supporters that the entire Super Falcons squad stands united and is completely unbothered by the external noise.
With the legal matter firmly handled, the reigning African queens remain fully focused on the task at hand , Tuesday’s opener against Malawi.
