Barca comment on racism controversy involving Griezmann and Dembele

Barcelona have commented on the alleged case of racism involving Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele. In a leaked video, from 2019, they are seen making derogatory comments against Japanese people. 

The club have taken their time to respond, but this Wednesday, they issued a statement on the Japanese version of their website. "FC Barcelona deeply regret the displeasure amongst Japanese and Asian fans and partners of our Club caused by a video that appeared a few days ago on social media in which two first team players (Ousmane Dembélé and Antoine Griezmann) displayed a lack of respect in their attitude towards several employees in the hotel in which they were staying," the club began. 

"This attitude in no way coincides with the values that FC Barcelona represents and defends. The Club is committed to improving its education on questions of race, discrimination and diversity. At FC Barcelona there is no place for racism or discrimination," they continued. 

"FC Barcelona would like to apologise publicly to all the Club’s fans and partners who feel unhappy about this event from the summer of 2019, a time when the Club’s responsibilities fell to a Board Directors and executive team previous to the current. The Board of Directors that today manage the Club are committed to making sure episodes of this nature do not repeat themselves," the club stressed. 

At the end of the statement, Barcelona said they reserve the right to take measures internally and that the players regret their actions. "The players have already shown their regret and have apologised to Japanese fans and partners, something that the Club values".