Report: Chelsea could face outright ban after Kenedy posts

Chelsea left-back Kenedy’s offensive social media posts about China may result in the club being banned from the country, a report has claimed.

The player posted two videos on social media regarding China that were considered offensive, and resulted in the defender receiving boos and jeers from Chinese fans during Chelsea’s preseason game against Arsenal.   

According to Goal.com, government authorities have ordered Chinese media to “withdraw all related stories about Chelsea from their dual homepages and news apps”. There is also a “remote” chance of an outright ban, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will “monitor the situation closely”.

Chelsea have issued a statement apologising for the player’s actions, and confirming that he has been “strongly reprimanded and disciplined”.

However, The People’s Daily (the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China), did not appear to be satisfied with the apology, and responded with a strongly-worded editorial:

“Best to keep your mouth shut, you troublemakers. If you do not learn to respect others, you will never earn the respect yourself.

“Kenedy is still defending himself in his apology, and Chelsea’s statement is perfunctory to say the least.

“The hospitable Chinese people don’t welcome such guest(s). As such Chelsea will be treated as a ‘persona non grata’ in the future.”