📸 A post gone wrong: Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion’s youth academy sparked major backlash earlier this week after sharing a photo of a player holding an image of a notorious Japanese WWII criminal tied to wartime atrocities in the Pacific Theater. The post has since been deleted, but the uproar is still fresh.
Fans from the Chinese mainland to Southeast Asia expressed fury, saying the apology left deeper cultural blind spots unaddressed. Many pointed out that references to World War II can still stir strong emotions across Asia, where memories of the Pacific conflict remain vivid.
In an interview with CGTN Europe, Jack Forsdike—a British fan living in the Chinese mainland and social media lead for the Official Brighton & Hove Albion FC Supporter Club—explained why this wasn’t just a 'harmless mistake.' He stressed that understanding the Pacific Theater’s impact is crucial for global clubs connecting with Asian supporters. 'It’s about respect,' he said. 'Football spans borders, but history matters.'
A club spokesperson told CGTN Europe the post was 'a genuine mistake' that Brighton has taken full responsibility for. 'Brighton apologizes to anyone offended, in the Chinese mainland, Southeast Asia, or anywhere else,' they said. The club emphasized its zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and rejection of any form of fascist or racist behavior.
Still, fans say the incident reveals a need for deeper cultural training in sports organizations. Many young supporters hope this sparks broader discussions on history and sensitivity in the digital age, where one post can impact millions in seconds.
As Brighton works to rebuild trust with its Asian community, the episode serves as a reminder: in our connected world, sports teams must play extra attention to history and respect. ⚽🤝
Reference(s):
China fan club leader censures Brighton FC for Japan WWII criminal post
cgtn.com
