Barcelona featured a video of Anthony Griezmann and Osman Dembele apologizing over the weekend and saying they were studying internal measures against the players.
In a video recorded during the club's visit to Japan in the summer of 2019, Dembele appeared to be mocking the "ugly faces" of an Asian employee at a hotel, with teammate Griezmann mocking from the sidelines.
Earlier this week, both apologized on social media, acknowledging their disrespect but countering that there had been any racist discrimination.
"Barcelona claims to deeply regret the dissatisfaction of our club's fans in Japan and Asia, as well as the club's partners, as the two players in the video show a lack of respect for several staff members of the hotel where they are staying, and we deeply apologize."
"This attitude is completely inconsistent with the values that Barcelona stands for and defends. The Club is committed to improving its education on racial discrimination and diversity issues. In Barcelona, there is no room for racist discrimination. ”
"Starting in the summer of 2019, Barcelona would like to publicly apologise to all club fans and partners who are unhappy with the incident, before which the responsibility for the club falls on the board and the executive team.
"The players have expressed their apologies and apologies to Japanese fans and partners, which is the most important issue for the club. However, Barcelona reserves the right to take such internal measures as it deems appropriate. ”
The video first appeared on social media over the weekend, and the CEO of the club's main sponsor, Rakuten, was the first to express his displeasure with the video.
Sponsor Rakuten on Tuesday said: "This kind of behaviour is unacceptable under any circumstances and I will lodge a formal protest with the club and need their response." ”
A source later confirmed that Griezmann had posted an apology on social media and personally apologized to Mikitani.
The French forward wrote that he "totally rejects all forms of discrimination" and "refutes the allegations against me, and I am sorry if I have offended any of my Japanese friends." ”
On Wednesday, Konami, also one of Barca's partners in Asia, announced the cancellation of Griezmann's contract as an ambassador for the entertainment company.
Dembele's apology said: "It all happened in Japan, but it could happen anywhere on the planet, and I use this bad expression, without targeting any race." I just happen to use this impolite expression on my friends that no matter what job they do, they shouldn't behave that way. I'm sorry for the possibility of hurting the people who appear in these images, and here, I want to sincerely apologize to them. ”