Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
More
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Italy PM Draghi offers support to volleyball player Egonu over nationality issue

Reuters
Paola Egonu was born in Italy to Nigerian parents
Paola Egonu was born in Italy to Nigerian parentsReuters
Outgoing prime minister Mario Draghi on Sunday offered his full support to Paola Egonu (23) after the Italian volleyball player born to Nigerian parents said she was taking a break from the national team following comments questioning her nationality.

On Saturday a video of Egonu went viral in which she burst into tears after her team took bronze in the world championships, telling her agent on the sidelines this was her last match with the national team as she was tired of being questioned about whether she was Italian.

She later clarified she was only taking a break to think matters through after "all the insults and messages I received".

Egonu was born in Italy but as a daughter of non-Italian parents she received her citizenship only at the age of 14 when her father obtained an Italian passport, Italian media said.

"We athletes give everything in every game and it hurts to hear that I don't deserve to wear this jersey," Egonu told RAI television on Saturday.

Egonu's words sparked an outpouring of support from across Italy, with Draghi telling the athlete in a phone call she was "a pride to Italian sport and will have future opportunities to win other trophies wearing the national team jersey".

The case also touched on a sensitive issue in Italy, where the incoming right-wing coalition that won the September 25th general election has been dismissing calls from the left to ease restrictive citizenship laws.

21+ | COMPETENT REGULATOR EEEP | RISK OF ADDICTION & LOSS OF PROPERTY | KETHEA HELPLINE: 210 9237777 | PLAY RESPONSIBLY & SAFELY |

France gouvernement

Les jeux d’argent et de hasard peuvent être dangereux : pertes d’argent, conflits familiaux, addiction…

Retrouvez nos conseils sur www.joueurs-info-service.fr (09-74-75-13-13, appel non surtaxé)

Do you want to withdraw your consent to display betting ads?
Yes, change settings