Brighton apologise for offence in China over WWII soldier image
Brighton & Hove Albion apologises after a social media post featuring a Japanese WWII soldier sparks backlash in China; the club says no offence was intended and is reviewing its communications.
Brighton apologise for offence in China after academy post drew international backlash. The post featured Kaoru Mitoma, a Japan international, alongside a youth player holding a football card that showed Hiroo Onoda, the former Japanese soldier who did not surrender for decades after World War II.
The timing and imagery sparked criticism in China due to Japan's brutal wartime actions there, with fans expressing their views on social media platforms like Weibo.
What happened
The club explained the post related to the academy's participation in the Premier League Christmas Truce Tournament and highlighted the under-12s team's win in an education project, along with a trip to Belgium for the Christmas Truce Cup.
Who are the figures
Kaoru Mitoma is a star midfielder for Japan’s national team. Hiroo Onoda remained hidden in the Philippines for 29 years after Japan’s defeat, believing the war still raged; he eventually surrendered and returned to Japan, where he was welcomed as a hero by some, while he had also been pardoned by the Philippine government for actions during the conflict.
About the Christmas Truce Cup
The Premier League describes the event as a chance for academy players to challenge top European clubs while learning about the historical moments that shaped the world, including the 1914 Christmas Truce when soldiers from Britain and Germany stopped fighting to play football.
Club and league responses
Brighton’s academy posted an apology on X, saying the incident was a genuine error and that neither the club nor the Premier League anticipated the reaction. The Premier League noted the tournament’s educational purpose and that organisers were not aware of the identities involved in the post.
Expert comment
Expert comment: A sports ethics analyst stresses that clubs must thoroughly vet social media content, especially when it involves sensitive historical topics. This incident underlines the need for clear guidelines for international academy activities.
Bottom line
The episode highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity in global football. While Brighton says the error was unintentional, it has prompted a review of how academy posts are approved and shared.
Key insight: Misjudged social media content can strain international relations; rigorous review is essential when posts touch on history or culture.
BBC Sport