China fan club leader censures Brighton FC for Japan WWII criminal post

Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion has come under intense controversy after its youth academy posted a social media photo of a player holding an image of a Japanese World War II criminal closely tied to wartime atrocities committed across Asia.

The now-deleted post ignited widespread anger among fans from China to Southeast Asia, who said the club's apology failed to address deeper cultural blind spots. In an interview with CGTN Jack Forsdike, a China-based British fan who operates the social media for the Official Brighton & Hove Albion FC Supporter Club in China, explained why the incident touched a historic nerve and why understanding the Pacific Theater of World War II still matters.

A Brighton club spokesperson told CGTN Europe the now deleted post was a genuine mistake, but one the club has taken responsibility for.

Brighton has apologized for any offence the post has caused to anyone, in China, South East Asia or anywhere else in the world.

Brighton has a zero tolerance approach on discrimination and does not condone fascist or racist behavior in any way, the spokesperson added.