[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] An Arsenal fan who made a racist remark towards Son Heung-min (28, Tottenham Hotspur) posted an apology video but was expelled from the YouTube channel.
During the 35th round of the 2019-2020 English Premier League season's North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal held on the 13th, Claude Caligari, a cast member of the YouTube channel 'AFTV' broadcasting the match, said "A DVD is coming out" when Son Heung-min was substituted off.
'DVD' is a racist term mocking the act of Asian immigrants illegally selling pirated DVDs at street stalls.
Caligari, who made the remark, explained amid the controversy over the racist comment, "It did not mean that; it meant that if Tottenham wins, another DVD will be released," but criticism continued.
Eventually, on the 15th (Korean time), he posted an apology video on his SNS saying, "I apologize to Son Heung-min, his family, and Tottenham fans," adding, "That was really not the meaning. All I can do is apologize. I am sorry if I caused pain."
However, on the same day, Robbie Lyle, the operator of AFTV, posted on his Twitter, "I sincerely apologize for the remarks made on the AFTV broadcast," and stated, "Caligari has been permanently expelled. Both I and AFTV prohibit racism, and it is important to respond appropriately in such situations. Racism is unacceptable under any circumstances."
In response to the fan's racist remark, the Arsenal club also said, "Racism is an unacceptable act," and "We approach all discrimination with a zero-tolerance policy, and we strongly condemn this racist remark."
Meanwhile, AFTV is a YouTube channel established by Arsenal fans, currently boasting 1.18 million subscribers.
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