Coach of Slovenian league leaders Olimpija, Marko Nikolac, has apologised to Nigerian striker Blessing Eleke after he racially abused him as “a black idiot”.
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Eleke over celebrated his stoppage time equaliser for Olimpija on Sunday, when the young coach felt his team could still have aimed for a late winner.
Nikolac said his remarks about Eleke were not racist as he only wanted his team to try and score a winning goal as they aim to reach the championship playoffs on their way to clinching the league title.
He said he has had a long talk with the 20-year-old Nigeria striker, who he respects a lot and has tried to improve as a player.
“I wish to apologise to the to everyone - the President, the Sports Director, Blessing Eleke and finally all fans of Olimpija for an inadvertent remark, which when heard again on television later sounded very distasteful and worthy of condemnation,” said the young coach.
“My only wish was that after the equaliser on 92 minutes, we should try to get the winning goal.
“My target is to reach the national championship playoffs and go on to win the championship.
“I would like to thank all the team for understanding that my remarks were not meant to be racist."
Club president Milan Mandaric, who was previously at English club Portsmouth, has also thrown his weight behind the coach.
“The remarks of our coach were not racially motivated. He just wanted to win the game,” he defended.
“We are all focused on qualifying for the championship playoffs and going on to win the league.