'You have dehumanised me' - Wycombe's Adebayo Akinfenwa alleges racial abuse
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Updated 09/07/2020 at 07:49 GMT
Adebayo Akinfenwa says he was racially abused during Wycombe’s League One play-off match against Fleetwood on Monday.
Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Image credit: Getty Images
The 38-year-old said he learned after the game a representative of the opposition had repeatedly referred to him as a “fat water buffalo”.
He added in a statement: “Regardless of whether or not there was deliberate racial intent by using that language and irrespective of the context in which it was used, if we are to make real and long standing change then we must strive to educate each other about these issues.
“We must work together to ensure those who have not and do not face racial prejudice understand that what may appear to them to be a throwaway remark can have such a big and hurtful impact.
“A water buffalo is a dark animal and as a black man I believe that you have dehumanised me by associating me with a dark animal as this was said in a derogatory manner.
I feel passionately around raising this because we as a sport and as society must wake up. We must do more. We must educate ourselves and understand the potential repercussions of using such language and be aware of the hurt it can cause. The bigger issue to me would be the lack of understanding as to why calling me this term would not be hurtful to me as black man, and this must change.
Wycombe won the two-legged semi-final to secure a trip to Wembley for the play-off final, but Akinfenwa says the elation of the result was soured for him.
“Monday night was one of the highlights of my career with Wycombe so far as we secured our place in the League One Play-Off final at Wembley. However, what should have been an evening of joy and excitement quickly turned into one of anger and frustration.
“Historically I have been subjected to and have experienced abuse across a number of areas and about many things, including my size but also about the colour of my skin.
“Throughout my life I have had to deal with many forms of racial abuse, both overt racism as well as covert racism. As a footballer, I have experienced the same throughout my career, dating back to when I suffered severe and widespread racism playing in Lithuania.
“I have always vowed to stand up and have a voice when it comes to racism, believing that education is ultimately the key to a future without racial discrimination.”
Players across all four divisions have been kneeling before games to show their support for Black Lives Matter.
But Akinfenwa added: “Taking a knee, supporting social media campaigns and wearing a logo on our kits is a start, but it is not enough. It will not result in real and long standing change.
“The real work must start now and the only way to move forward collectively is through education.”
“The real work must start now and the only way to move forward collectively is through education.”
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