LA FC and QPR condemn owner after anti-Israel posts revealed

Major League Soccer, Los Angeles FC and Queens Park Rangers have all condemned the “deeply offensive” social media posts shared by football club owner, Ruben Gnanalingam.

MLS, the top football division in America, said it was investigating the situation.

Gnanalingam, a Malaysian businessman who owns Queens Park Rangers FC and is the director of LAFC, shared dozens of posts comparing the war in Gaza with the Holocaust, calling for Israel to be “dismantled”, praising Hezbollah terrorists and promoting conspiracy theories that Israel "owns" the United States.

One post reshared by the club owner called for the "Zi0 entity" to be dismantled and urged "#ArmiesToAqsa." Another said: “Arabs wake-up so this will not [be] the future of your kids !!!!! Sionists [sic] have plans for more genocides !!!!!! Arabs need to be back [in] power”.

A separation post referred to Hezbollah, proscribed by the UK and US as a terrorist organisation, as a "resistance movement whether you like it or not.”

The posts on Gnanalingam’s LinkedIn feed remained on his profile two days after the JC reported the story, however by Sunday afternoon he had made the account inactive “for the foreseeable future.”

Gnanalingam said he understood “why some of my posts have caused offence to some of our Jewish supporters in particular and I have spent the last few days listening to those concerns and trying to learn more.”

He explained: “In an attempt to highlight the devastating impact the conflict in the Middle East is having on innocent children on both sides, I reposted views which I absolutely do not share, without checking all the content on these posts thoroughly enough.

"Upon reflection, I recognise that the content I shared was inappropriate and, as stated, does not reflect my personal values. I sincerely apologise for the distress caused to everyone affected by this situation, including my colleagues, friends, and family.”

He added, "As someone who values unity, diversity, and respect for all people, I take full responsibility for my actions and have removed the reposts.

"Given the sensitivity of these issues and my position as a global business leader, I have decided to make my account inactive for the foreseeable future. This step is part of a broader effort to ensure my focus remains on my professional commitments and the organisations I serve, while avoiding any further potential misunderstandings."

In a joint statement MLS and LAFC said: “Major League Soccer and LAFC strongly condemn the deeply offensive social media posts reportedly shared by Ruben Gnanalingam, a member of LAFC’s ownership group.

“MLS and LAFC believe in unity and we stand firmly against hate in any form. The league is currently reviewing the situation and will have no further comment at this time.”

QPR added that the club “condemns all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and is proud to foster an inclusive environment for all its supporters.”

Gnanalingam continues to sit on the advisory board of the “Inclusion Initiative” at the London School of Economics (LSE), where his online profile states that he has “key expertise” in areas of “Diversity and inclusion".

LSE has been contacted for comment.