Real Madrid Defender Dean Huijsen Issues Apology for Racially Offensive Social Media Content
Real Madrid and Spain defender Dean Huijsen has been compelled to issue a formal apology after sharing content online that has been widely condemned as racially offensive. The 20-year-old footballer, who transferred to Madrid from Bournemouth last season, reposted a controversial video on his social media accounts, triggering significant backlash from his extensive follower base.
Social Media Backlash and Apology on Chinese Platform
Huijsen shared the contentious reel on his Instagram page, which boasts an impressive 5.2 million followers. Many of these followers quickly branded the post as racist, leading to a wave of criticism and demands for accountability. In response, Huijsen took to Real Madrid's official Weibo account, one of China's largest social media platforms, to express his remorse.
I sincerely apologise to my Chinese friends, Huijsen stated in his apology, which was posted in Chinese. I previously forwarded content that included offensive messages unintentionally. It was completely unintentional, and I regret the distress caused. The defender has since deleted the original post, but screenshots and discussions continue to circulate online.
Offensive Comments and User Reactions
The deleted post reportedly included comments that many found deeply offensive. One comment read, Even the Chinese call him Chinese, while another user posted, You could blindfold him with dental floss. These remarks sparked outrage among social media users, who flooded the comments section to demand an immediate apology.
One user pointedly questioned, While Real Madrid is speaking out against racism, Huijsen is making racist remarks against Chinese people. Why hasn't the club responded? Does your anti-racism stance only apply when Vinicius Jr is the one being discriminated against? Another comment highlighted commercial concerns, stating, If you don't want to lose the Chinese market, please apologise immediately.
Broader Context of Racism in European Football
This incident occurs against the backdrop of an ongoing racism saga involving Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. Recent reports indicate that Prestianni has informed UEFA that he directed a homophobic slur at his opponent rather than a racist comment during Benfica's Champions League match against Real Madrid last week.
European football's governing body is currently investigating allegations of discriminatory behavior after claims surfaced that Prestianni called Vinicius a monkey while covering his face during the match. The game was halted for ten minutes by referee Francois Letexier, who made a crossed arms gesture to signal reported racial abuse inside Lisbon's Estadio de Luz.
Madrid star Kylian Mbappe alleged that Prestianni racially abused his teammate five times, but the Argentinian midfielder has insisted that Vinicius misinterpreted what he heard. According to ESPN, Prestianni has provided evidence to the UEFA investigation, asserting that he did not say mono, the Spanish word for monkey, but instead used a homophobic slur towards Vinicius.
Implications for Real Madrid and Player Accountability
Huijsen's apology underscores the growing scrutiny on professional athletes regarding their social media conduct and the broader issue of racism in sports. As Real Madrid continues to promote anti-racism initiatives, this incident raises questions about consistency and accountability within the club. The swift apology on a Chinese platform also highlights the importance of international markets and cultural sensitivity in global football.
The fallout from this event may prompt further discussions on how clubs handle such controversies and the measures they implement to educate players on appropriate online behavior. With social media playing an increasingly pivotal role in athletes' public personas, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of insensitive posts.
