Chelsea sent warning by Chinese FA over Kenedy’s social media posts after he was sent home from China pre-season tour
Brazilian winger caused outrage with two Instagram posts which have been deemed to 'fuel hatred'
CHELSEA have been issued a warning by the Chinese FA after winger Kenedy was sent home following offensive posts on social media.
The Premier League champions were forced to offer a grovelling apology after the Brazilian posted a series of images with the captions “f***ing China” and “wake up China you idiot”, in reference to a sleeping security guard.
The 21-year-old’s comments caused fury during their pre-season tour and fans in China booed Kenedy as he warmed-up for the 3-0 win over Arsenal in Beijing.
And the Chinese FA have had their say on the situation by claiming that Kenedy’s comments could have fuelled “walls and hatred”.
A spokesperson said: “We have taken notice of the inappropriate behaviour involving Mr Robert Kenedy and the strong reaction of the fans as well as the apologies made by Mr Kenedy himself and Chelsea Football Club.
“We insist that football helps bring peoples together, not apart, builds bridges and friendship, not walls and hatred.
“A professional player serves as role model of the society and the world at large. We hope the club and the players have learnt a good lesson from the incident.”
Kenedy did apologise following the comments by saying: “Hello my friends, just wanna say sorry if someone was sad because I used the expression porra’, was no racism, just an expression…big hug.”
Antonio Conte’s side face Inter Milan in Asia before they return to face Arsenal in the Community Shield final on August 6.
A 3-0 victory over the Gunners was followed up by a 3-2 defeat to German giants Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile wantaway striker Diego Costa has been training on his own on a beach in Brazil.
Costa is currently in limbo – unwanted by his club but no closer to a move elsewhere.
