Gift Orban was involved in an ugly incident with a supporter after Hellas Verona’s disappointing defeat to AC Milan in the Serie A on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 2024 Super Eagles invitee made his 28th league appearance of the season since joining the Mastiffs from Hoffenheim on a season-long loan deal last summer and played the full 90 minutes in the encounter.
There was nothing he could do to prevent another defeat for his side, which now leaves them closer to relegation from the Italian top flight.
However, things quickly took a turn for the worse after the match, with the 23-year-old caught in a heated exchange with a Hellas Verona fan on his way out of the stadium.
The situation escalated when a fan struck his car, after he reportedly refused photograph requests from some supporters. This prompted Orban to angrily step out of the vehicle and was involved in a physical confrontation with the fan, before a Verona staff intervened to prevent the incident from escalating further, as seen in video footage shared by Arte Del Calcio on X.
Gift Orban’s performance against AC Milan
The Super Eagles invitee completed the full 90 minutes against AC Milan, but was unable to add to his seven league goals this season for Hellas Verona, who now need only a miracle to avoid relegation.
It was a poor display from the 23-year-old against the Rossoneri, who grabbed maximum points through Adrien Rabiot’s first half strike.
Orban ended the game without a shot on target, with all five of his attempts blocked and he managed just 26 touches throughout the game, with only four coming inside the opposition box.
What could this mean for Gift Orban’s future at Verona?
Gift Orban joined Hellas Verona on a season-long loan from Hoffenheim last summer and the club were expected to make the move permanent due to his impressive displays so far this season.
However, the young forward has now found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons following this off-field incident, which could potentially end his chances of securing a long-term stay at the club, especially with a likely relegation on the horizon.
While it appeared the forward was overwhelmed by frustration before the clash, the nature of the incident raises questions about his relationship with the club supporters.
The 23-year-old could now face disciplinary action depending on the outcome of the investigation, which may result in a suspension and his availability for Verona’s next match against US Lecce on Saturday is now uncertain.