Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has found himself at the center of controversy after making an obscene gesture towards fans in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the club’s post-season tour.
The 22-year-old Ivorian was filmed raising his middle finger at a group of individuals outside the team hotel. The footage quickly circulated on social media, prompting a response from both the club and the player.
According to Manchester United, Amad’s reaction followed “serious personal abuse” directed at him, specifically concerning his mother. The club clarified that the abuse was not racial in nature.
Taking to social media platform X, Amad addressed the incident directly: “I have respect for people but not for the one who insults my mum,” he wrote. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that but I don’t regret what I did.”
There had been speculation that the abuse was linked to fans shouting “Diallo” at him — a name associated with a previous identity controversy. Amad, formerly known as Amad Traore, was fined €48,000 by the Italian FA in 2021 over a trafficking investigation involving false documents used during his time at Atalanta.
Despite the incident, Amad featured in the second half of United’s 1-0 loss to the ASEAN All-Stars on Wednesday. The Red Devils will round off their post-season tour with a match against a Hong Kong XI on Friday.
