Chelsea’s new £88 million signing Mykhailo Mudryk has apologised for using the n-word in a video posted on social media. The forward, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk this month in a deal worth $108 million, was recorded reciting lyrics to a song on Tik Tok in a post.
The track from the US rapped was released in 2017 and used the racial term 16 times in 2 minutes and 40 seconds. A 40-second clip of Mudryk, 22, reciting lyrics while next to an Audi sports car alongside a friend, went viral on TikTok and racked up over 2,00,000 views. Following a widespread outrage and as a result of backlash from all quarters, Mudryk’s team issued an apology for the offence caused. ‘Mykhailo is deeply sorry for an offence caused by the video posted on his TikTok account last July,” a representative told The Sun.
“While his intention was solely to recite lyrics of a sing, Mykhailo regrets his decision and wholeheartedly accepts it was not appropriate. The video has since been removed,” added the statement. Meanwhile, leading anti-racism campaign group Kick It Out has claimed that n-word is deeply offensive and the use of this term by high-profile figures in football can only serve to alienate people from the game.
"It is important that footballers use their significant platform in a positive way, and we are encouraging to see the Mykhailo Mudryk has acknowledged the hurt caused by his use of his offensive slur,” said Kick It Out.