The head of Spanish soccer powerhouse Barcelona's jersey sponsor said Tuesday he will make an official protest to the club after two of its high-profile French players appeared to mock Japanese hotel staff in a viral video.
Hiroshi Mikitani, chairman and CEO of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Inc., said he feels "very regretful over discriminatory remarks by Barcelona players" Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann, in the videos recently leaked online.
"Favoring Barcelona's philosophy, Rakuten has sponsored the club. Therefore, in any circumstances, this kind of remark is unforgivable, and we'll officially protest and seek the club's view," Mikitani said in a Twitter post.
French international Dembele, who has apologized for the video while denying "targeting any community," said the footage was filmed in Japan during a preseason trip in summer 2019.
In one video, apparently filmed by Dembele, the players appear to belittle hotel staff trying to fix a television being used by the pair for video games.
Dembele can be heard asking "What kind of backward language is that?" and "Are you technologically advanced in your country or not?" while zooming in on the faces of the staff. Griezmann does not say anything but smiles approvingly.
In the other leaked clip, Griezmann says "ching chong," often used to ridicule Asian languages, while sitting in an inflatable pool next to teammates including Dembele.
France international Griezmann also apologized on social media for any offense caused, while adding he has always opposed all forms of discrimination.
Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. said it has canceled a contract with Griezmann under which the player had been an ambassador for its "Yu-Gi-Oh!" games based on the popular manga. The company will also seek an explanation from Barcelona.
Rakuten has been a major sponsor of Barcelona since 2017, with its logo appearing on the club's distinctive red and blue uniform.
FCBの選手が差別的発言をした事について、クラブのスポンサーまたツアーの主催者としてとても残念に思います。楽天はバルサの哲学に賛同し当クラブのスポンサーをしてきただけにこのような発言は、どのような環境下でも許されるものではなく、クラブに対して正式に抗議すると共に見解を求めていきます
— 三木谷浩史 H. Mikitani (@hmikitani) July 6, 2021
