Japanese video game company terminates Griezmann’s contract over racism row

The French forward has seen his contract with the company terminated after a video surfaced online.

Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann has seen is contract with Japanese video game company Konami terminated over a racism row.

“Konami Digital Entertainment believes, as is the philosophy of sports, that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable,” a statement from the company read.

“Previously we had announced Antoine Griezmann as our Yu-Gi-Oh! contents ambassador, however in light of recent events we have decided to cancel the contract.”

In a video which went viral online, Griezmann and teammate Ousmane Dembele could be heard mocking local technicians who came to help them fix a game console to a television in their hotel room.

This incident happened back in 2019 during Barcelona’s pre-season tour to Japan. Dembele referred to the technicians as “ugly faces” in the and appeared to mock the Japanese language before asking: “are you advanced in your country or not?”

Griezmann, on the other hand was laughing while Dembele insulted the staff. Also in another video, the French forward was heard saying “Ching Chong”.

Meanwhile, the French star has called the CEO of club sponsor Rakuten to offer his apologies after the video surfaced online.

“I firmly refute the accusations made against me and I am sorry if I offended my Japanese friends.” Griezmann had said.

His apologies came after Rakuten chief Hiroshi Mikitani expressed his outraged on Twitter.

“As a club sponsor and tour organiser, I am very sorry that the FCB players made discriminatory remarks,” he wrote

“Since Rakuten has endorsed Barca’s philosophy and sponsored the club, such statements are unacceptable under any circumstances and we will formally protest the club and seek their views.”