Dutch footballer Ahmad Mendes Moreira has told of his “hurt” after being labelled a “pathetic little man” in the aftermath of receiving racist abuse.
The Excelsior striker lined up for his team away at Den Bosch in the Dutch first division on Sunday, but left the field after being abused by the home fans.
He stormed off as the referee called a temporary halt to the clash at Den Bosch’s De Vliert stadium, but returned soon after to score for his team.
But Den Bosch coach Erik van der Ven blasted Moreira as a “pathetic little man” for his actions during the match.
Speaking in a post match press conference, Moreira said: “That just hurts me a lot.”
The match eventually ended in a 3-3 draw, after Excelsior fought back from 2-1 down following Moreira’s goal, and then levelling late on through Ruben Rodrigues.
With the scores at 1-1 earlier in the match, Moreira gave away a foul over by the touchline, before he was shouted at by Den Bosch supporters sitting nearby.
Moreira – whose parents hail from the West African nations of Bissau-Guinea and Guinea respectively – naturally reacted angrily to the abuse.
He was escorted off the pitch by sympathetic teammates before a lengthy break, during which the match looked as though it could be abandoned.
(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)
However the game soon resumed and Moreira quickly provided the best response, scoring and cupping his ears in celebration.
Objects were hurled at the 24-year-old and his teammates as they celebrated.
Former Man Utd star Memphis Depay reacted to the incident on social media, tweeting: “I’m sick and tired to see these images over and over! When is it going to stop!!? #SayNoToRacism.”
He then tweeted the Dutch FA, saying: “What we doing to do? Specially with the upcoming Euro 2020?”
Den Bosch released a statement after the fixture condemning the behaviour of their fans.
It read: “Let one thing be clear; FC Den Bosch distances itself from everything that has to do with this and acts strongly against stadium visitors who are guilty of this.”
It is the latest occurrance of racism in football following a recent spate of similar incidents.
The England national team were subjected to abuse in Bulgaria last month, while an FA Cup tie between Haringey Borough and Yeovil Town was called off days later.
