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Striker Wellington ‘accepts apology’ from fan who threw banana at him Striker Wellington ‘accepts apology’ from fan who threw banana at him
(35 minutes later)
The Brazilian player who was reduced to tears by “incredible” racist abuse during a league game in Romania last week has reportedly accepted an apology from a fan who threw a banana at him.The Brazilian player who was reduced to tears by “incredible” racist abuse during a league game in Romania last week has reportedly accepted an apology from a fan who threw a banana at him.
The Concordia Chiajna striker Wellington was the victim of repeated racist abuse from a section of Rapid Bucharest supporters during their Romanian league match, and was seen in tears at the end of the game. TV footage showed supporters making monkey gestures.The Concordia Chiajna striker Wellington was the victim of repeated racist abuse from a section of Rapid Bucharest supporters during their Romanian league match, and was seen in tears at the end of the game. TV footage showed supporters making monkey gestures.
After the game Wellington told reporters: “It’s incredible what happened … I wanted to get off the field, I’m not a monkey … I told the referee [about the abuse] and he gave me a yellow card. Those who did it are idiots, and I hope the federation will do something about it.” After the game Wellington said: “It’s incredible what happened … I wanted to get off the field, I’m not a monkey … I told the referee [about the abuse] and he gave me a yellow card. Those who did it are idiots, and I hope the federation will do something about it.”
The fallout from the incident prompted a public meeting between the supporter and Wellington, during which the pair were pictured embracing and shaking hands. Romanian press quoted the supporter as saying: “I admit I was wrong and I’m sorry. I apologise and look forward to the return match, when I’ll be your biggest fan.”The fallout from the incident prompted a public meeting between the supporter and Wellington, during which the pair were pictured embracing and shaking hands. Romanian press quoted the supporter as saying: “I admit I was wrong and I’m sorry. I apologise and look forward to the return match, when I’ll be your biggest fan.”
Wellington reportedly accepted the apology, and promised to hand the supporter a signed shirt later in the week.Wellington reportedly accepted the apology, and promised to hand the supporter a signed shirt later in the week.
Romanian authorities are still considering what action to take, and are assessing the extraordinary post-match comments from Rapid’s coach Marian Rada, who said: “Was he crying? Maybe Wellington should have cried because he didn’t score. And how do we know it was a Rapid fan? Maybe a banana just slipped out of someone’s hand.” Romanian authorities responded by punishing Rapid with a two-game stadium ban and a fine of around £4,000, while the hosts Concordia were also fined £2,600.
Rada later issued a statement, saying: “In the press conference after the game I disapproved of the supporter’s gesture towards Wellington. I’m sorry if I was misunderstood, especially as I have a black player in my side, who I like very much.” However, the extraordinary post-match comments from Rapid’s coach Marian Rada have not, so far, led to sanctions. Rada was quoted as saying: “Was he crying? Maybe Wellington should have cried because he didn’t score. And how do we know it was a Rapid fan? Maybe a banana just slipped out of someone’s hand.”
He later issued a statement, saying: “In the press conference after the game I disapproved of the supporter’s gesture towards Wellington. I’m sorry if I was misunderstood, especially as I have a black player in my side, who I like very much.”