Chelsea apologizes to China for Kenedy’s abusive posts

World
Europe

Chelsea Football Club issued an apology on Sunday to its Chinese supporters after its footballer, Robert Kenedy posted two videos which contained offensive words to China and its nationals.

Screenshot

Following its previous brief statement which Chinese netizens felt unacceptable, this 284-word apology was posted on its official website both in English and Chinese, explaining what had happened and making solemn and sincere apologies.

The Chelsea also cited an apology from Robert Kenedy’s Instagram, which was believed to be the third one from Kenedy. In the personal apology, Kenedy manifested his respect and admiration for the country and its people, and wrote “I would also like to apologise to my club Chelsea and all my companions who I have let down by my posts.”

Screenshot

The 21-year-old posted two videos through Instagram My Story ahead of the pre-season friendly facing Arsenal in Beijing, which slammed China and a Chinese security guard with insulting words.

In his first post, the video was captioned, “Porra China” in Portuguese. “Porra” was interpreted as a rude word in English while the other post showed a sleeping Chinese security guard with a comment, “Acorda China Vacilão,” which means “Wake up China.”

Since the two posts published, many netizens believed his comments had racist undertones and fought back on Kenedy’s official Facebook account @Robert Kenedy with an imitation of the caption in his posts.

Kenedy's clarification on Instagram My Story

Kenedy's apology on Instagram My Story

In response to the backlash, Kenedy immediately issued two statements on Instagram My Story to clarify his previous captions in English and apologize to Chinese people both in Chinese and Portuguese. Meanwhile, the Chelsea Football Club also issued a statement on its verified Sina Weibo account to say sorry to the Chinese people.

The Chelsea Football Club's statement on Sina Weibo

However, Chinese netizens rejected both of their apologies and flooded the post with more than 3,500 comments.

“[The Chelsea Football Club] has not published any statement for an apology. Just wrote a post on its Weibo account in Chinese and then translated to English,” @Biezaidaowohaole wrote the comment.

“The English word is ‘sorry’ but not ‘apologize.’ What do you mean?” @Xuebaluoke commented and felt dissatisfied with the attitude of the club.

“Please apologize sincerely and then get out. You are insulting Chinese people and your club. You are not welcomed,” @TUOniC posted and had got more than 2,000 likes for his reply to Chelsea’s statement.

China’s biggest newspaper group, People’s Daily has published an editorial on its website on Sunday by citing Chinese philosopher Mencius as saying “People insulting others are also insulted” to condemn Kenedy’s utterances.

Robert Kenedy

The Brazilian footballer signed with Chelsea in 2015 and has made 24 Premier League appearances.