Posted by By BEN MEMULETIWON on
Nigerian international star, Martins Obafemi, has condemned Inter Milan fans for their unruly behaviour against him, Sunday, when he was booed off the pitch after his club played 1-1 draw against Siena at home.
...Ready to leave Italy
Nigerian international star, Martins Obafemi, has condemned Inter Milan fans for their unruly behaviour against him, Sunday, when he was booed off the pitch after his club played 1-1 draw against Siena at home.
Angry Obafemi, who frowned at the racial taunts, disclosed that he was ready to turn his back, Milan if the fans do not respect him and want him any more.
'I'm not particularly happy with what is going on," Obafemi said in an interview with Africansportsdigest.com. 'I can leave if they want me to. But they should not forget what I've contributed to the club in the past."
Inter fans chose to make the Nigerian soccer prodigy a scapegoat upon which they sublimated their anger after Inter crashed out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, losing to Villarreal of Spain. They had hinged their hope of winning the Champions League on the 20-year-old lethal striker.
But the task was too heavy for the little boy.
The fiendish relationship between the Nigerian and Inter may, however, hasten his move to the English Premier League as Liverpool have mounted severe pressure to have him at the beginning of next season. In addition to part with close to the money demanded by Inter, Liverpool is poised to trade Fernando Morientes, the Spain international as well as meeting the Italian club demands half way.
Inter is demanding $18.9 million from any club that wants him but Obafemi has said that he would prefer a move to England, not minding the demand from several other leagues to have his signature even as Inter have refused to reduce the price tag on him.
Martins has been having a running battle with his coach, Roberto Mancini, who has condemned his playing technique openly but Obafemi is pissed off by what he described as racial discrimination.
Danny Shittu, Martins closest pal in England even confirmed that the young player has been complaining about his problem in Italy and indicated his willingness to join him in England if there is a good offer from a club there.
Shittu, who was born in East London told racist campaigners, Kick Out: 'I speak to the guys on the Nigerian players playing in different countries and they tell me they've experienced racism, and some still do. Martins is a friend of mine in the squad and he tells me he has been abused and still gets abused playing for Inter Milan in Italy."