Nigerian forward Gift Orban has broken his silence after recently getting into a violent altercation with a fan after Hellas Verona’s narrow 1-0 defeat to AC Milan over the weekend, Footynaija.com reports.
With the frustration of losing to the Rossoneri on home turf still fresh, Orban sought to avoid interacting with fans outside the Stadio Bentegodi as he made his way home.
However, things quickly got out of hand when one fan struck the player’s car with his hand after he refused to pose for a picture with another fan.
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Reacting in the heat of the moment, Orban stepped out of his vehicle, sparking a confrontation that escalated into a physical altercation, with bystanders capturing the incident on their mobile phones.
Hellas Verona wasted little time in coming out to condemn the Nigerian striker’s actions and in response, he posted an apology message via popular social media platform Instagram.
Gift Orban takes full responsibility after fan bust-up
“I wish to sincerely apologise to all the fans for my behaviour,” wrote the 23-year-old, per Football Italia.
“I understand how important your support is, and I am sorry if I ignored those who asked for photographs and autographs. You deserve respect, and at that moment I let you down.
“I am also profoundly sorry for how I reacted: there is no excuse for having lost control, and I take full responsibility.
“I promise to learn from this error and do my best. The fans are a fundamental part of this club and I appreciate the passion and loyalty that you show every day.
“I will work hard to win back your trust, not just with words, but with action. Thank you for your continued support. I remain fully focused on giving my best for the club, every time I will set foot on the field.”
Currently on loan from German Bundesliga outfit TSG Hoffenheim, Orban has managed 10 goal contributions (7G, 3A) in 28 appearances for Verona this season.
The Italian outfit have an option to buy the forward permanently for eight million euros at the end of his loan stint but with their relegation from Serie A practically sealed, it’s very unlikely that they will exercise that option.
