Chelsea lectured by Chinese Football Association after Kenedy social media slurs
The English Premier League club are told to ‘learn a good lesson’ after their Brazilian fullback’s offensive Instagram posts caused outrage on Beijing trip
The Chinese Football Association has told Chelsea to “learn a good lesson” over the social media storm caused by their Brazilian fullback Kenedy.
The English Premier League club, who are on a pre-season tour in Asia, apologised to the “Chinese people” after Kenedy posted two videos on his personal Instagram account insulting China, one of the club’s biggest markets.
“We have taken notice of the inappropriate behaviours involving Mr Robert Kenedy, the strong reaction of the fans as well as the apologies made by Mr Kenedy himself and Chelsea Football Club,” a Chinese FA spokeswoman said in a statement to British newspaper the Daily Telegraph.
“We insist that football helps bring peoples together, not apart, build bridges and friendship, not walls and hatred.
“A professional player serves as role model of the society and the world at large. We hope the club and the players have learnt a good lesson from the incident.”
Kenedy, who made just three appearances for Antonio Conte’s side last season having signed from Fluminense in 2015, has arrived back in London after being sent home in disgrace from Chelsea’s tour.
The English Football Association has written to both the player and the club for an explanation over the controversy.
One of Kenedy’s posts was captioned “Porra China” – which can be translated to “F****** China” – before a second clip showed a sleeping security guard accompanied by the words: “Wake up China. You idiot”.
He later deleted the posts and issued an apology on Instagram, writing: “Hello my friends, just wanna [sic] say sorry if someone was sad because I used the expression “porra” was no racism, just a expression…big hug.”
Kenedy was part of the Chelsea side that beat Arsenal 3-0 at the Bird’s Nest Stadium last weekend, where the club received a warm welcome.
“Kenedy’s actions were a mistake that he will learn greatly from,” said a Chelsea club statement which appeared in English and Chinese.
“His behaviour does not represent the entire team and does not align with the club’s high expectations and strict requirements of its young players. He has been strongly reprimanded and disciplined.
“Everyone at Chelsea Football Club has the utmost respect and admiration for China and loves our Chinese fans.
“It is because of this that the negative impact we have seen over the last two days has left us shocked and saddened. Once again, we sincerely apologise for the hurt caused to our Chinese fans as well as to the Chinese people.”
Chelsea next face Inter Milan on Saturday at the Singapore National Stadium.
