Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann have both apologized for their actions after a video leaked on social media in which the pair appeared to mock Asian employees.
The video, recorded by Dembele, circulated online over the weekend and shows both players laughing at a group of technicians working to fix something in a hotel room.
The footage was criticized on social media and both France teammates issued statements on Monday apologizing for their behaviour.
“Hello, during the last few days, a private video from 2019 has been circulating on social media,” Dembele wrote on Instagram. “It all happened in Japan. It could have happened anywhere on the planet and I would have used the same expression.
“That’s why I wasn’t targeting any community. I used this type of expression with my friends, regardless of their origins.
“This video has since been made public. I appreciate that it may have hurt the people in these images. Because of this, I want to sincerely apologize to them.”
Barcelona teammate Griezmann later responded to the video on Twitter and wrote: “I have always been against discrimination of all kinds.
“For the past few days, some people have wanted to portray me as someone I am not. I strongly deny the allegations made against me and I am sorry if I have offended any of my Japanese friends. Is.”
There has been no confirmation from Barcelona, the Spanish FA or the French Football Federation about possible punishments for the players.
Both made appearances for France during Euro 2020, but Dembele’s tournament was cut short due to injury, while Griezmann played for Didier Deschamps, who was knocked out on penalties by Switzerland in the round of 16.