In Keylor Navas, Paris Saint-Germain finally solved the goalkeeper woes that have plagued them for the past few seasons.
However, at 33-years-old, PSG has to look for their goalkeeper of the future and Ajax’s André Onana is a name that has come up frequently as a possible transfer target. Last October, Onana’s agent confirmed that PSG had been in contact and expressed interest in the Cameroon international.
Two years ago, according to French publication Onze Mondial, Onana was on the radar of one Italian club but they had a concern that has no place in modern society much less the game of football.
Ajax keeper André Onana claims an Italian side didn't sign him because of his skin colour. pic.twitter.com/F5k0fcAy7L
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 2, 2020
“There is something that we don’t mention much. Being a goalkeeper of color, African, you are undercut, you are seen differently. It is up to us to make a difference.”
“Two years ago, after the Europa League final, I was talking to a club in Italy whose name I will not give. We were talking quietly and the sports director said to my agent: ‘A black goalkeeper is complicated here.'”
“But I was happy. They didn’t tell me I was a bad goalkeeper, they said they didn’t want me because I was black, it’s different. This is something I cannot control. I am black and I am proud to be black! Despite the misery there [Africa], it is the most beautiful continent in the world and I say it loud and clear. I am proud!”
I only wish that Onana named the Italian club that expressed this ridiculous concern to him. I’m not sure why they deserve protection but that’s Onana’s decision and I respect that.
When you consider Serie A’s trouble with racism in recent months, it’s not that surprising to hear that an Italian club would say something like this to an African player. We’ve seen the league use paintings of monkeys for their anti-racism artwork and racist chants directed towards Romelu Lukaku that received no punishment.
The whole thing is sickening and drastic measures need to be taken to kick racism out of Italy once and for all.
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