Real Madrid Defender Dean Huijsen Faces Backlash Over Controversial Social Media Post
Real Madrid player Dean Huijsen has issued an unreserved apology following significant backlash from football fans worldwide after he shared a controversial post on social media. The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism, particularly in the wake of recent allegations of racial abuse involving teammate Vinicius Junior.
Details of the Controversial Post and Apology
The Spanish defender, who was born in the Netherlands, reposted a video on Instagram that included content described as racist by Chinese users. According to reports from Diario AS, the post referenced the shape of Asian people's eyes with a comment that read: "Even the Chinese call him 'Chinese' and 'You could blindfold him with dental floss." Huijsen later deleted the post and apologized via Real Madrid's Weibo account, a major social media platform in China with over 582 million monthly active users.
In his apology, Huijsen stated: "I sincerely APOLOGISE to my Chinese friends. I previously unintentionally re-posted a reel with content that included offensive messages. It was totally by mistake, and I regret the discomfort it has caused." However, the apology has been met with skepticism, as neither Huijsen nor Real Madrid has released a statement on other social media outlets like Instagram or the club's main accounts, leading to accusations of dismissiveness.
Global Fan Reactions and Demands for Action
Fans across the globe have flooded social media to express their outrage and demand stricter measures. Many have called for Huijsen's provisional suspension by Spanish authorities and UEFA, citing a perceived double standard in how such incidents are handled. For instance, Benfica defender Gianluca Prestianni was recently suspended by UEFA for allegedly racially abusing Vinicius Junior, pending an investigation.
Key fan reactions compiled from social media include:
- @GZhan57: "Has Huijsen addressed this anywhere outside of Weibo? The repost happened on his Instagram, but the 'apology' is buried only on a Chinese platform in Chinese. No statement on his IG, nothing on the club's main accounts. This feels way too dismissive."
- @insanespotter: "Apology not accepted. Every time we say Real Madrid players and their fans are the worst when it comes to racism, you all act shocked. Now watch them conveniently disappear from this post."
- @wjl0329: "A perfunctory and insincere apology is unacceptable. Particularly, Real Madrid's tacit approval of this attitude contradicts the club's proclaimed stance on eliminating discrimination, revealing a hypocritical behavior."
- @SLBSLBSLB1904: "He's not gonna be punished? In other case, without any proof a player is suspended. Huijsen deliberately racist gesture and nothing happens. Madrid culture."
- @RFang25900: "A quote is simply not enough. We don't even know if it really came out from his mouth. We want him to apologise in person and get punishment like the guy in vini's case. If not, this shows how racist and double-standard the club is."
Context and Broader Implications
This controversy comes less than a week after Vinicius Junior was allegedly racially abused by Benfica defender Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League match. UEFA has suspended Prestianni pending an investigation, highlighting the ongoing issues of racism in football. The incident with Huijsen has further fueled debates about accountability and the effectiveness of apologies in addressing such sensitive matters.
As the 20-time European Champions, Real Madrid's handling of this situation is under intense scrutiny. Fans and critics alike are questioning the club's commitment to anti-racism initiatives, with many arguing that actions speak louder than words. The lack of a broader apology from Huijsen or the club on international platforms has only amplified calls for concrete disciplinary measures.
In summary, Dean Huijsen's apology on Weibo has done little to quell the anger of football fans worldwide. The demand for a more sincere, public apology and potential suspension reflects growing impatience with perceived insincerity in addressing racism in sports. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges football faces in combating discrimination and ensuring accountability at all levels.
