Adelaide United youngster Kusini Yengi has received racial abuse on social media after his star turn in the A-League club’s win over Melbourne Victory.
Yengi scored his first A-League goal in the 61st minute and memorably leapt over the advertising boards and celebrated in front of the Victory supporters. He later set up Stefan Mauk for the Reds’ third goal in the 3-1 comeback win at Marvel Stadium.
Adelaide confirmed the 22-year-old had been the subject of racist comments on his Instagram page later on Saturday night.
“We are appalled by the comments made on Kusini’s Instagram account,” Adelaide chief executive Nathan Kosmina said. “We pride ourselves on inclusivity and diversity, and to have one of our players subjected to racial abuse is immensely upsetting.
Enjoyed calling this one last night. Kusini YENGI. Some way to score your first @ALeague goal. #swagger #OriginalRivalry pic.twitter.com/vExh8seFAx
— Michael Zappone (@Michael_Zappone) March 13, 2021
“The entire club is behind Kusini and will support him as the matter is investigated further by the League and police.”
It comes one week after Western Sydney forward Bernie Ibini spoke publicly about racist abuse and threats to his family he had received on Instagram.
“I know there are uneducated people, I think it’s more so them not having a consequence [for their actions],” Ibini told Guardian Australian. “And on social media they feel invincible, like they can just write anything and not really have any repercussions.”
