Spain international Dean Huijsen has issued a public apology on Real Madrid’s official account on the Chinese social media platform Weibo after he was criticised for sharing content considered offensive to Asians. The incident drew attention in China and among the club’s global fan base, prompting both the player and Real Madrid to address the situation in an effort to ease tensions and demonstrate respect for supporters in the region.
According to reports, Huijsen had previously shared material on social media that many users in China and elsewhere viewed as discriminatory and hurtful toward Asian people. The post sparked negative reaction online, with fans and commentators questioning the judgment behind sharing such content and calling for accountability. In response, Real Madrid used their presence on Weibo, where the club has a significant following, as the main channel for Huijsen’s statement.
In his message, Huijsen apologised to Chinese supporters and to Asian communities more broadly for the offence caused. He acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate and expressed regret for the impact of the post. While specific wording of his apology and the original content he shared were not detailed in the available report, the key focus of his statement was to convey remorse and to emphasise that he did not intend to show disrespect.
The episode underlines the scrutiny players face over their activity on social media, especially at clubs with the global stature of Real Madrid. The Spanish side has one of the largest international fan bases in football, and China is an important market for the club both commercially and culturally. As a result, communication with supporters there is closely watched, and missteps can quickly escalate into wider controversies.
Huijsen’s apology on Weibo reflects an awareness of this environment and the expectations placed on professional footballers to uphold certain standards of conduct off the pitch. By addressing fans directly on a Chinese-language platform, he and the club signalled a desire to repair relations and show sensitivity toward cultural and racial issues. The situation also serves as another reminder within the sport of how digital behaviour can affect personal reputations and the image of teams that operate on a global stage.
Real Madrid have not released additional details on any internal measures related to the episode, and there has been no public indication of disciplinary action beyond the apology. The focus from the club’s side appears to be on acknowledging the concerns raised by the online reaction and reinforcing a message of respect toward all communities represented in their worldwide fan base.
Huijsen, who represents Spain at international level, will now look to move forward from the incident while remaining under the spotlight that comes with playing for one of Europe’s most prominent clubs. His statement on Weibo is likely intended as both an immediate response to those offended and a broader commitment to being more careful about his use of social media in the future.
