Zakaria Aboukhlal targeted by racist abuse after Antonio Raimondo injury

Torino and Morocco international Zakaria Aboukhlal has been subjected to a barrage of insults, threats and racist comments after a challenge that left Frosinone striker Antonio Raimondo with a serious left-ankle injury in Serie A.

According to Foot Mercato, Aboukhlal became the target of widespread abuse on social media after the incident during Sunday’s match between the two sides. Raimondo’s injury prompted a wave of abusive reactions online once it was officially confirmed.

Aboukhlal’s most recent Instagram post was flooded with offensive messages from users blaming him for the challenge. Some told him: “Carpenter, go back to work!”, “Retire!” and “You are destroying other people’s careers!”

The abuse directed at the Torino player went well beyond criticism of an incident in a football match, with some comments containing racist insults and threats.

The reaction has been particularly troubling because Aboukhlal apologised to Raimondo immediately after the match and made clear that he never intended to hurt him.

“I am sorry for Raimondo, I never meant to injure him,” he said.

That response failed to satisfy some supporters, whose comments crossed the boundaries of acceptable behaviour.