Abu Kamara forced apology after Portsmouth post could do more harm than good
Abu Kamara has seen the fallout explode from his social media antics with former Portsmouth teammate Paddy Lane in recent days.
The winger, who won promotion alongside Lane with Pompey last season, congratulated his close friend via Instagram (1 January) after he scored his first Championship goal against Swansea City on New Year’s Day.
Since then, Hull fans have taken great exception to his deemed encouraging of a relegation rival, and the Tigers have gone on record with a five-minute apology video with BBC Humberside (3 January) from him and boss Ruben Selles.
Kamara did what he had to do and cleared up the motive which was obvious regardless, but it felt unnecessary and uncomfortable to watch.
His popularity with Hull fans is clearly not at the level he is appreciated at Fratton Park, although his two goals against Leeds on 4 January may help.
Abu Kamara still loved at Portsmouth
From the perspective of the Hull faithful, they are enduring a struggle of a season and to see their player encouraging one of their direct rivals is inconvenient.
But the context behind it should soften it – last season was a senior football breakthrough for Kamara, who played every single game of the triumphant League One campaign on loan from Norwich City.
The fee commanded by the Canaries for the 21-year-old in the summer surpassed Pompey’s price range, and ambitious ownership at the MKM Stadium brought him to Humberside for around £4.5million.
Fans at Hull also seem displeased by Kamara’s recent performances and work-rate before the 3-3 draw against Leeds, though Blues fans online are always quick to jump to his defence.
It’s a storm in a teacup, really.
The whole apology video just seemed unnecessary, even if there was a tinge of naivety from Kamara himself.
It will be interesting to see how his relationship with the Tigers fans and his form in Yorkshire will tilt after this, but Kamara will always have a footballing home where he is appreciated on the South Coast.
In other Portsmouth news, the club will claim a small windfall from a new historic initiative for fans.
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