A brief video of Ghanaian comedian Shatta Bandle, used during the broadcast of the 2024 Ballon d'Or, has generated controversy on social media, with the organisers being called out for supposedly disrespecting Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jnr.
The video, which has been in wide circulation on social media since the event on Monday, October 28, 2024, captures Shatta Bandle laughing hysterically in a yellow traditional outfit while holding a walking staff.
The video came alongside a photo of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal holding an edited photo of Vinicius Jnr, who boycotted the award following news that he was not going to win.
On social media, football fans are enraged by what they consider to be a dig at Vinicius Jnr.
While some are reading racist meanings into it, others also hold that the use of Shatta Bandle’s video is indicative of the bias of the Ballon d’Or organizers.
While Rodri emerged as the best player in the men’s category, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí won the women’s category.
The best goalkeeper award went to Aston Villa and Argentinian goalie Emiliano Martinez, while Lamine Yamal won the young player award.
For guiding Real Madrid to Champions League and La Liga success, Carlo Ancelotti won the best coach award, with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe winning the golden boot for scoring the most goals in the year.
.🚨 The official Ballon d'Or stream has seemingly mocked Vini Jr...
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 28, 2024
(📸 @Lequipe) pic.twitter.com/9nXDm1JdVz
This shows that Vini lost it because he is hated not only by rival fans in Europe but also the institutions. This is Racism and its unacceptable
— 𝐀𝐟𝐜𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐮 (@GunnerAbuu) October 28, 2024
To the Africans supporting them basically cos you support Barcelona and Messi.
— ZEEZ 🌚 (@Swaggzeez1) October 28, 2024
They will do the same to you without thinking twice.
You guys should be ashamed of yourselves pic.twitter.com/aQv7pu4P2U
To the Africans supporting them basically cos you support Barcelona and Messi.
— ZEEZ 🌚 (@Swaggzeez1) October 28, 2024
They will do the same to you without thinking twice.
You guys should be ashamed of yourselves pic.twitter.com/aQv7pu4P2U
We said it was because he was black and you didn’t believe us
— Regis_ (@itsregis_) October 28, 2024
The people talking about "class" "professionalism" "respect" were all silent about this btw. https://t.co/hQQSsV2Bxp
— CUZ (@lordkunta) October 28, 2024
People still can’t see the problem because Vini is a player they don’t like. lol https://t.co/dhWa1BPpsY
— Adam Ademola (@ceeroma007) October 28, 2024
This is crazy. Y'all can prop up your fav but mocking & disrespecting other players on the official platform is next level petty https://t.co/26ALP8NSX1
— Mäx Milliän (@MaxWattz) October 28, 2024
Someone tell Shatta Bandle he is sitting on a €500 Million Thousand Dollars case. https://t.co/ijgzbsIeIR
— Akromah (@Sir_Hawk) October 28, 2024
Watch the reaction of some Ghanaians on the 2024 Ballon d'Or
EK
