Gbenga Arokoyo Speaks Out : Referees Are Targeting Me In Sweden Because Of My Skin

Gbenga Arokoyo was one of the poster boys of the famous Kwara Football Academy before he turned professional.

Courted by the likes of FC Twente ( Holland), FK Qabala (Azerbaijan), he finally settled for Mjallby, signing a two - and - a - half year deal with the Hällevik based Swedish club in 2012.

But he might be regretting his decision to move to Scandinavia following the recent disciplinary problems being experienced in the Allsvenskan.

Statistics do not tell lies. In his last 40 games in the topflight, referees have shown him yellow cards 12 times while he was dismissed in 2 games including Mjallby’s last game against Norrkoping .

“I feel very bad about the whole situation. I feel very bad because of the way I am being treated and it has to do with the colour of my skin.

“I think I am treated harshly by the Swedish referees . I am a team player and a team leader and my club has a lot of respect for me, the same way I respect everyone. I am very discipline both in and outside the field.

“I have never injured any of my teammates in training but you must work harder if you want to go past me.

“I am best known for my toughness, speed, aerial ability and good anticipation. I know what it takes to be a good professional,”Gbenga Arokoyo said to allnigeriasoccer.com.
 
The 21 - year - old has repeatedly accused the match officials of being partial , stating that European players are giving a slap on the wrist for more grievous offenses while he is penalized for lesser ones.

“If you review the last red card I got, you will understand what I am saying. In the last game I went shoulder to shoulder with a striker and I got a straight red, that’s unfair to me.

“But one of the goalkeepers of another team committed a penalty as the last man and he only got a yellow card.

“I  can go on and on to share with you what happened last year, it was so bad. I can not blame God for creating me an African.

 “I am proud of myself and I will continue to do my best for my team,” he concluded.

Gbenga Arokoyo was chased by clubs in Italy, Sweden and France in the January transfer window but nothing came out of it.