Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion faces mounting criticism across Asia after its youth academy shared – then hastily deleted – a social media post featuring a player holding an image linked to Japanese World War II atrocities. The incident has sparked heated discussions about historical awareness in global sports institutions.
Jack Forsdike, a British fan managing the Official Brighton Supporter Club's social media accounts in China, told CGTN the post revealed “deep cultural blind spots,” particularly regarding Asian experiences during WWII. The image reportedly depicted a figure associated with war crimes committed against Chinese and Southeast Asian populations from 1937-1945.
While Brighton issued an apology stating the post was “a genuine mistake” and reaffirmed its “zero tolerance approach to discrimination,” many Asian fans argue the incident underscores the need for better historical education in international sports organizations. The club has not disclosed how the image passed through its content review process.
This controversy emerges as China marks the 80th anniversary of WWII's conclusion in 2025, with many residents emphasizing the importance of accurate historical representation. Analysts suggest such incidents could impact European football clubs’ commercial relationships in Asia, where fan bases have grown exponentially in recent years.
