Amad Diallo celebrates a goal for Manchester United. Photo by AP
Ivory Coast forward Amad Diallo has come under fire after raising his middle finger toward fans following Manchester United’s 0-1 loss to the ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur.
As the United squad returned to their hotel after the match on Wednesday, a crowd of supporters, with most of them wearing Manchester United jerseys, had gathered outside. While walking through the crowd, Diallo unexpectedly raised his middle finger, a gesture widely considered disrespectful and insulting.
Photos and videos of the incident quickly circulated on social media, sparking criticism of the 22-year-old striker’s behavior.
Diallo addressed the controversy on X on Thursday, writing: “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.”
Manchester United told the BBC that Diallo’s gesture was in response to “serious personal abuse” directed at him.
Amad Diallo raises his middle finger to the crowd in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after the friendly between Manchester United and ASEAN All-Stars on May 28, 2025. Video taken from X
In a incident, Diallo and teammate Alejandro Garnacho posed for a photo with fans in an elevator later that day. Garnacho was also seen raising his middle finger in the photo, though this was seen as a more playful gesture.
During their brief stay in Malaysia, Diallo, Garnacho and Ayden Heaven explored Kuala Lumpur on rented electric scooters. In a video that went viral on Reddit, Diallo, seemingly without cash, handed his phone to a local for help using a translation app. The local ultimately helped him with payment.
Manchester United have since departed Malaysia and are continuing their Asian tour with a friendly match in Hong Kong, scheduled on Friday.
