Apologies issued after Chelsea player Mudryk’s N-word video
LONDON –
An apology has been issued on behalf of Chelsea player Mykhailo Mudryk after he appeared to use the N word in a video posted to social media.
The striker, who joined Chelsea this month from Shakhtar Donetsk in a $108 million deal, recited the lyrics to a song on TikTok in a post from last year.
He has now deleted the video.
“Mykhailo is deeply sorry for any offense caused by the video posted to his TikTok account last July,” his representative reportedly told British newspaper Sun. “Although his intention was to only recite the lyrics of a song, Mykhailo regrets his decision and wholeheartedly accepts that it was not appropriate. The video has since been removed.”
Chelsea did not respond to a request for comment
The anti-racism group Kick it Out said it condemned the use of the N word regardless of context.
“The N-word is deeply offensive and the use of this term by high-profile figures in football can only serve to alienate people from the game. It is important that footballers use their important platform in a positive way, and we are encouraged to see that Mykhailo Mudryk has acknowledged the hurt caused by his use of this offensive slur,” it said.
Mudryk, a 22-year-old Ukraine international, made his Chelsea debut against Liverpool earlier this month and is part of a team overhaul by US owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
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