Nigerians Rage, Accuse Sevilla FC Of Clout-Chasing

Sevilla FC, the seven-time Europa League champions, are facing backlash after allegedly backtracking on a promise made to a young Nigerian footballer, Ola Great, who had asked for a tryout opportunity in exchange for 100,000 retweets.

It all began when the aspiring U-17 player, with hopes of turning his dreams into reality, tagged the Spanish club on Twitter with a simple question: “How many RTs for a tryout?” Surprisingly, Sevilla’s verified English-language account replied with a clear-cut target: “100K RTs.”

Fueled by a passionate community, Nigerians on Twitter banded together, delivering over 122,000 retweets in less than 24 hours. The story quickly went viral, gaining traction beyond Nigerian borders. Even ESPN reported on it, and offers of financial support for travel expenses began pouring in from Nigerians residing in Spain.

With all eyes on Sevilla for a response, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. Finally, after about 15 hours of silence, the club broke its quiet—but not in the way many had hoped.

Sevilla’s response was a link to an article on their official website, dated July 28, 2024, outlining a 9th Division Spanish tournament for international U-19 players. The article suggested that interested players could apply for future editions of the competition. Unfortunately, the tournament referenced had long since concluded.

The underwhelming reaction sparked outrage, with many Nigerians accusing the club of exploiting the young player’s ambition for publicity. Social media users blasted the club for reneging on what they perceived as a straightforward promise.

Some commentators attempted to defend Sevilla, suggesting the social media handler might not have had the authority to arrange a tryout. Others speculated that the handler had likely been dismissed in the aftermath.

Despite the controversy, Ola Great appears undeterred and has reportedly turned his focus toward other opportunities. Meanwhile, Nigerians remain watchful, with many still holding out hope for a change of heart from Sevilla. Whether the club will rise above the storm or let the moment pass remains to be seen.
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