Orban reacts to early red card: black players ‘treated differently’ in Serie A

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Orban reacts to early red card: black players ‘treated differently’ in Serie A

Football Italia

Mon, Feb 16, 2026 ·

2 min read

Orban: Black players 'treated differently' in Serie A

VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Gift Orban of Hellas Verona celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

The Nigeria international had been given his marching orders after just 10 minutes, with his team already down one goal.

Orban appeared to calmly protest for a potential foul from a Parma defender, but the referee was quick to stop the play to show the 23-year-old a red card.

"Sent off for protesting a decision. As a Black player in Italy, I can't ignore how often we're treated differently," Orban added on X social media.

"I love the game, and all I ask for is fairness, respect, and equal treatment on the pitch."

Orban has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 22 Serie A appearances with Verona this season.

NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 07: Gift Orban of Hellas Verona FC celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 07, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

This is his first season in Serie A, but his positive performances still couldn't help Verona in their race for survival as the Gialloblu sit at the bottom of the table alongside Pisa with 15 points.

Verona didn't send their coach to comment on the game at full-time as a sign of protest. They only released a statement, which, however, didn't mention racism issues: "A very serious lack of respect towards a team, a city, a community and a fanbase," the club said.

"We always accept mistakes, just as we make them ourselves. However, we believe that the sending off after ten minutes play, based on what was seen on the field and what we were told, is a signal of disrespect."