Racism: How Italian Racists Cursed My Parents – Taribo West Opens Up

Taribo West, a former Nigerian footballer, has opened up on how he faced racism during his football career in Europe.

The former Inter Milan defender disclosed this in an interview with PUNCH.

Taribo, who said he had most issues of racism in Italy and Germany, said the only place he was not abused or stoned was at the San Siro in Italy.

Taribo said, “I had most issues in Italy and Germany. The only place I wasn’t abused or thrown stones and water was at the San Siro, but every other place I played in Italy, if they didn’t abuse my mother, they would abuse my father and throw stones and water at me. It was the same thing in Germany.

“It was also in France, but not as high as it was in Italy and Germany. The Italians pretend that there’s no racism, but it’s very high. When (Samuel) Eto’o played there, he confronted it because it was very high. (Romelu) Lukaku also faced it.”

Speaking on his relationship with Inter Ultras, he said, “It was great. I think I was one of the fortunate players who didn’t fall into their hands because if we had a bad result, they could beat up anybody. Before you got home, they would have destroyed your car.

“They were wild. If you had a bad game, they could visit their anger on your family. But the club and Italian FA were able to manage it because they kept working on it.”