Alex Iwobi has now opened up on the social media bullying he suffered at the recent AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Fulham forward was at the receiving end of major backlash and criticism (both constructive and destructive) he has now finally come out to clear the air on how he felt during that period.
Iwobi said he was unaffected by the online abuse targeted at him throughout the tournament.
Recall that Iwobi deactivated his Instagram account after being singled out for criticism, but the Fulham star has now said he was unaffected.
Iwobi stated on his new podcast:”The whole competition, I didn’t see it(the criticism)
“I remember in a press conference, they said; ‘where is the creativity?’ and I had to address the role I was given and I said I am the kind of guy who will listen to my coach and try to do the job I’m told to do.”
Iwobi also said that he was actually reading messages of family, friends and well-wishers after the games, and didn’t go through his social media.
“The game is done now, obviously in disappointed, I’m on my phone but I don’t check Twitter. I’m on Snapchat and WhatsApp with all my people telling me I’ve done my nation proud.”
So, how did Iwobi know he was targeted if he didn’t check his social media?
Here is what he said; “At two o’clock there was a knock on the door, I was like, ‘I don’t want room service’ but I looked through the key-hole and it is Victor Osimhen”.
“I’m half-asleep with my hair everywhere but he said, ‘I’m not going to lie to you, they’ve been talking about you a lot on social media and I want to make sure you’re good. They’re saying you’re apparently going to retire, you’re depressed’.
“It is what it is, it is not the first time. The first AFCON where I got sent off it happened, at Arsenal it constantly happened, at Everton when I signed for two years it happened, that is football. I would rather be off social media, I don’t want to see that and I don’t care.
“They wanted to put out a statement saying cyber bullying is wrong and I said, ‘I hear that but we are just going to create a bigger scene’ but they said we needed to stand as one.
“They were standing up for me, but I said no because the world would think I was down, I’m actually calm, just listening to music.”
“I would rather just be real in real life. I have seen people come off socials, like Stormzy and Jay-Z don’t have it and I feel they are living life peacefully.
“I don’t want people to think I am affected because I’m not. We came to the conclusion I needed to jump back on socials and it was important for people to see how I felt, rather than a statement where I thank you for the support and say that cyberbullying is wrong.
“Obviously now I’m back and seeing messages, I said thank you but I didn’t want to go into detail. It was a crazy period.”
By Aboluwade God’s Treasure AGT
