Hellas Verona Deny Gift Orban’s Alleged Social Media Post After Red Card Against Parma

Italian club Hellas Verona have denied claims that Nigerian striker Gift Orban criticised the referee on social media following his early red card against Parma Calcio 1913.

Italian club Hellas Verona have clarified that Nigerian striker Gift Orban was not responsible for a social media post criticizing the referee following his early dismissal in their recent defeat to Parma Calcio 1913.

Orban, who joined Verona in the summer, was shown a straight red card just 11 minutes into the match after protesting a challenge from Enrico Del Prato in the centre circle. Frustrated by the incident, he gestured toward referee Luca Pairetto, who immediately sent him off, leaving Verona to play almost the entire game with ten men.

Following the match, a post circulated on X (formerly Twitter) from an account linked to Orban. The message expressed frustration at the red card and raised concerns about racial treatment in Italian football, stating:

"Sent off for protesting a decision. As a Black player in Italy, I can’t ignore how often we’re treated differently. I love the game, and all I ask for is fairness, respect, and equal treatment on the pitch."

Verona quickly moved to set the record straight. In an official statement on X, the club said the social media profile in question does not belong to Orban and is not managed by him.