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Wycombe Wanderers of England striker, Adebayo ‘The Beast’ Akinfenwa came under racist attack on Saturday, following his inability to save his side from losing at home in the lower division, English Championship.
Akinfenwa, the highly acclaimed world’s strongest footballer, was full of running and lots of effort, but it all fell short in the game against MK Dons, during which the visitors’ fans aimed pokes at him.
Megasportsarena.com reports that it all began during the game, as The Dons edged out their local rivals 1-0, but it was marred by a long delay caused by offensive supporters’ chants aimed at Akinfenwa.
Midway through the first half, the referee briefly stopped the game due to a vitriolic chant from The Dons’ fans at Akinfenwa, who was warming up on the sideline, as he prepared to enter as a substitute.
A tannoy announcement imploring away fans to stop seemingly had no effect while MK Dons’ official Twitter account also asked their supporters to refrain from singing the chant.
The game was paused as The Chairboys’ coach, Gareth Ainsworth spoke to the referee about the incident and Akinfenwa also angrily remonstrated with the Dons fans, although the match restarted shortly after.
On the pitch, Scott Twine’s 13th goal of the season early on proved the difference as the Dons leap-frogged their hosts into fourth place in League One.
Twine slammed home a rebound after David Stockdale had parried Theo Corbeanu’s initial strike after 13 minutes.
The hosts almost levelled when Joe Jacobson headed inches wide from Garath McCleary’s cross although just before the hour mark, Stockdale brilliantly palmed Corbeanu’s diving header onto the crossbar to keep the deficit at just 1-0.
The Chairboys’ coach labelled the situation disgraceful, while some Dons players tried to get the supporters stop singing and at least one fan was ultimately ejected by stewards.
Ainsworth, who was infuriated by the abuse, urged something to be done to prevent it happening again and added: “Ade is a great guy and for him to have to listen and put up with that is disgraceful.
“It shouldn’t happen. No player deserves to receive the abuse he did. We’re obviously not happy about it. As a manager, you have to protect your players. It’s not on.
“Adebayo Akinfenwa is an incredible human being – I was really disappointed at the chanting towards him by a minority.
“There were children in the crowd and this just isn’t right. He then stayed out for an hour afterwards signing autographs.
“Our fans love and adore him. Chants like that have no place in football and hopefully something can be done.”
Manning was also unequivocal in his condemnation, saying: “Of course it’s really disappointing for all of us. That kind of behaviour doesn’t represent us as a club.
“It’s a real shame and it tarnishes our victory a bit. It definitely leaves a sour taste in the mouth but it’s straight after the game and it’s a club matter now.
“We can only offer our apologies to Adebayo. That kind of thing doesn’t represent me, the players, or the staff at this club.”
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