Chelsea player Kenedy insulted the club’s Chinese fans during their recent preseason tour via social media. The player took to Instagram to insult a security guard and to use foul language in commenting on the country. Due to his actions, Chelsea have had to apologise to their Chinese fans.
Kenedy posted a picture on Instagram of a security guard sleeping with the caption: “Wake up China. You idiot.” He also posted a picture from the club’s tour with an expletive written in Portuguese in regards to a Chinese person. Both posts have been deleted by the player. However, he has come under fire with his club, who apologised to the country of China and their fans for Kenedy’s actions.
The club wrote on their official website:
“Kenedy’s actions were a mistake that he will learn greatly from. 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.”
Kenedy also wrote an apology on his social media after being reprimanded by the club.
“Hello my friends, just wanna say sorry if someone was sad because I used (that) expression… was no racism, just an expression.”
The player joined Chelsea in 2015, but spent last season on loan at Watford. During his Chelsea career, Kenedy has played 15 times for the club.