Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk has apologised in response to mass criticism for using a racial term in a viral TikTok video. The 22-year-old was filmed repeating the N-word last July in footage resurfacing after his £88.5million move to the Premier League.
Last July, Mudryk shot a 40-second video alongside a friend and an Audi sports automotive, posting it on popular social media app TikTok.
The pair rapped lines from Lil Baby’s 2017 track, ‘Freestyle’, and repeated the N-word, which is mentioned 16 times throughout the song.
Since deleted following backlash, the clip hit over 214,000 views and, for a lot of, may have put a dampener on Mudryk’s exciting Premier League arrival.
The Ukraine international has issued an apology through The Sun via a spokesperson, stressing his regret in regards to the ‘inappropiate’ video.
A press release read: “Mykhaylo is deeply sorry for any offence attributable to the video posted on his TikTok account last July.
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“Whilst his intention was solely to recite lyrics of a song, Mykhaylo regrets his decision and wholeheartedly accepts it was not appropriate. The video has since been removed.”
Kick It Out, football’s leading anti-racism group, has slammed Mudryk for his use of racial slurs within the video, ‘no matter context’.
“Kick It Out condemns the usage of all racial slurs, including the N-word no matter context,” a response read.
“The N-word is deeply offensive, and the usage of this term by high-profile figures in football can only serve to alienate people from the sport.
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“It will be important that footballers use their significant platform in a positive way, and we’re encouraged to see that Mykhailo Mudryk has acknowledged the hurt attributable to his use of this offensive slur.”
Mudryk made his Chelsea debut within the 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on January 21, the Blues’ last game.
He is anticipated to play a big role for Graham Potter within the second half of the season, with Chelsea vying to perform an unlikely but possible turnaround to complete within the Premier League top 4.
Fulham visit Stamford Bridge next on Friday before one other London derby against West Ham United and the primary leg of the Champions League last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.
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