Brighton & Hove Albion has found itself at the center of a heated controversy in early December 2025 after its youth academy shared – and quickly deleted – a social media photo featuring a player holding an image of a Japanese World War II criminal known for wartime atrocities across Asia.
The post ignited widespread anger among fans from the Chinese mainland to Southeast Asia. Many felt the club's apology, while swift, didn't address the deeper cultural blind spots that come from misunderstanding Asia's WWII history. As Jack Forsdike, a China-based British fan who runs the Official Brighton & Hove Albion FC Supporter Club in the Chinese mainland, told CGTN Europe, this incident resurfaced long-held wounds and showed why awareness of the Pacific Theater still matters.
Here's what went down:
- Genuine mistake? A Brighton spokesperson told CGTN Europe the now-deleted post was unintentional but confirmed the club is taking full responsibility.
- Apology issued. Brighton said sorry to anyone offended in the Chinese mainland, Southeast Asia, or beyond, and underlined its zero-tolerance stance on discrimination.
- Historic impact. Fans like Forsdike point out that WWII memories in Asia run deep – from school textbooks in India and Indonesia to family stories in Vietnam and Thailand – making such missteps especially painful.
What's next? Brighton's youth academy has pledged to include cultural-awareness training and consult with Asian fan groups to avoid similar slip-ups. For many young supporters juggling busy lives and global passions, this moment is a reminder: even a single post can spark a big conversation about respect, history, and the power of football to unite – or sometimes divide – communities.
Stay tuned as clubs and fans work to bridge gaps and build a more inclusive game. ⚽🌏✨
Reference(s):
China fan club leader censures Brighton FC for Japan WWII criminal post
cgtn.com
