Chelsea Could Face 'Ban' in China After the Offence Caused by Fringe Youngster Kenedy
Chelsea could sensationally face being 'banned' in China in the wake of the Kenedy saga that saw the young Brazilian offend the whole country with horribly misguided social media videos ahead of the Premier League champions' encounter with Arsenal in Beijing.
A pair of Instagram videos were seen as offensive to Chinese people and Kenedy was booed during the all-London encounter in the Chinese capital - which Chelsea won 3-0.
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Kenedy himself apologised with another Instagram post and Chelsea also issued a strongly worded statement that explained the player had been 'reprimanded and disciplined' over his behaviour.
In part, it read, "Kenedy’s actions were a mistake that he will learn greatly from. His behaviour does not represent the entire team and does not align with the club's high expectations and strict requirements of its young players. He has been strongly reprimanded and disciplined."
But, according to Goal.com, Chinese government authorities have apparently ordered media outlets in the country to 'withdraw all related stories about Chelsea from their dual homepages and news apps' as they seemingly look to 'ban' the club.
Goal cites a 'Ministry of Foreign Affairs' source to claim that there 'remains a remote remains a remote possibility that Chelsea will suffer an outright ban', although Chinese authorities will 'closely monitor the situation'.
With at least the possibility of losing access to a huge market in China hanging dangerously over them, Chelsea published a full apology from Kenedy on Monday morning.
"I would like to apologise to the people of China for the offence I have caused. It was never my intention to insult or offend anyone at all and I now realise that my comments were totally inappropriate," the player said.
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"I wish to state that I have tremendous respect and admiration for the Chinese people and their country.
"I would also like to apologise to my club Chelsea and all my companions who I have let down by my posts. I fully understand the responsibility of representing my club and it was never my intention to cause this embarrassment nor disrespect."
Still only 21 years of age, Kenedy has played just 22 times for Chelsea since joining the club from Fluminense to much fanfare in 2015. He had spent the first half of last season on loan at Watford but made only a single appearance in four months before being recalled.
