sport news Ousmane Dembele issues grovelling apology after leaked social media clip

Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele has issued a grovelling apology after a leaked social media video appeared to show him mocking Asian technicians' background and appearance.

It is believed that the technicians were trying to solve a problem in a hotel room, with three men in conversation gathered around an illuminated television screen and one wearing a t-shirt with 'The Staff' on the back.

In the video, Dembele mocked their looks, language and the country's supposed 'technological advance', but now the France international has offered his 'sincere apologies' for the 2019 clip. 

He wrote in a statement: 'Recently, a private video from 2019 has been circulating on social networks.

'The scene happens to be in Japan. It could have taken place anywhere on the planet, I would have used the same expressions.

'So I wasn't targeting any community. I sometimes use these kinds of expressions in private, with friends, regardless of their origin.'

Dembele added: 'This video is now public. I can therefore imagine that it could have offended the people present in these images. Therefore, I offer them my most sincere apologies.'

It is thought to be Dembele, who can be heard in the video telling Griezmann: 'All these ugly faces, just so you can play PES [Pro Evolution Soccer], aren't you ashamed?'

Then Dembele adds: 'What kind of backward language is that?' and 'Are you technologically advanced in your country or not?'