Konami cancels contract with FC Barcelona player after racism controversy

Publisher cuts ties with Antoine Griezmann after a video surfaced in which he mocked hotel employees in Japan.

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TOKYO, Japan — Rakuten and Konami Holdings, both sponsors of FC Barcelona, have spoken out against two players who appeared in a leaked video mocking Japanese hotel personnel.

Rakuten, the jersey sponsor of Barcelona, released a statement on Tuesday expressing its displeasure with the situation. "Under no circumstances can these types of activities be tolerated," the online retailer stated.

Rakuten Chairman and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani stated, "We will lodge an official protest against the club and seek an explanation."

Antoine Griezmann was seen chuckling while teammate Ousmane Dembele commented on the appearance and language of Japanese hotel staffers in a video taken during a vacation to Japan in 2019.

"What kind of backward language is that?" Dembele can be heard wondering. and, while zooming in on the faces of the staff, "Are you technologically advanced in your country or not?" Griezmann is silent but smiles appreciatively. The video has gone viral on social media.

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Since the video's release, both Dembele and Griezmann have apologised.

Griezmann's contract as a Yu-Gi-Oh ambassador was cancelled by Konami Holdings on Wednesday. According to a statement released on Tuesday, "Konami Digital Entertainment believes, as does the spirit of sports, that discrimination of any type is unacceptable.”

FC Barcelona, a club partner for the company's Pro Evolution Soccer video games, will also be asked to "explain the details of this situation and its future activities," according to the group.

On the same day, FC Barcelona apologised on its website for the video's "displeasure among Japanese and Asian fans and partners.”

Growing investor interest in environmental, social, and governance issues has made firms more sensitive to such issues in recent years, which likely contributed to Rakuten and Konami's quick response to the video.


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