Manchester United forward Amad has released a statement for the first time after footage emerged of him showing fans the middle finger during the club's end-of-season tour of Asia. The Ivorian has been a standout player during what has otherwise been a woeful season for the club, after finishing trophyless and 15th in the Premier League table.
The 22-year-old is one of the few players still at the club who is expected to play a key role moving forward under Ruben Amorim, but initially came under fire for his reaction to supporters during the trip. However, Amad has now given more details as to what led to his emotional respons.
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Taking to X, the United number 16 commented on his actions, admitting that while he should not have reacted in the way he did, he didn't regret it:
"I have respect for people but not for the one who insults my mom… I shouldn't have reacted like that but I don't regret what I did. We had a great time in Malaysia with good people."
Amad's response regarding his mother comes after a theory emerged that he was unhappy with fans calling him by the name 'Diallo,' a name he is trying to shake moving forward. Several major broadcasters still refer to the player by both names, though he has tried to avoid using his surname due to a legal battle he was involved with earlier in his career.
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Amad Diallo in action for Manchester United
Amad first arrived in Europe at the age of 10, accompanied by his brother, Hamed Junior Traore, who now plays for Auxerre. The siblings settled in Parma, Italy, where Amad began his footballing journey with local youth side Boca Barco. His potential quickly drew attention, and he was eventually recruited by Atalanta, where he signed his first professional contract.
However, the circumstances surrounding his arrival in Italy later became the focus of a legal investigation. In 2020, authorities launched a probe into allegations that both Amad and his brother had been trafficked into the country as minors, reportedly by five adults who used falsified documents to bring them in on a family reunification visa.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) took over the investigation, scrutinizing claims that the boys were under the care of their legal guardians. The FIGC ultimately determined that the individuals listed as their parents were not biologically related to the players, raising questions about both their guardianship and the brothers’ relationship with one another.
The inquiry concluded in 2021—the same year Amad, then 18, completed his transfer to Manchester United. As part of a plea agreement, both players accepted fines totaling £42,000.