Chelsea should 'learn a good lesson' from Kenedy affair, says Chinese FA
Chelsea have been warned to “learn a good lesson” by the China Football Association, after the storm sparked by Brazilian winger Kenedy.
The Premier League champions sent Kenedy home in disgrace on Tuesday after his offensive posts on social media, in which he severely damaged the club’s reputation in China.
Kenedy, 21, posted two inappropriate messages on Instagram during Chelsea’s stay in Beijing which sparked widespread outrage in the world’s fastest growing consumer economy, leading to huge embarrassment to the club.
He was subsequently ordered home from the tour but Chelsea are still hoping the storm will blow over, amid fears of serious implications in the future.
And the China FA has issued a statement which underlines the impact Kenedy’s remarks made in East Asia.
“We have taken notice of the inappropriate behaviors involving Mr Robert Kenedy, the strong reaction of the fans as well as the apologies made by Mr Kenedy himself and Chelsea Football Club,” said a spokeswoman.
“We insist that football helps bring peoples together, not apart, build 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 has arrived back in the UK and posted a message on Instagram of him and his dog with superimposed sunglasses.
The Football Association in England has written to both Kenedy and Chelsea to seek their observations over the controversy.
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