LOS ANGELES — Ruben Gnanalingam, a part-owner of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), has issued an apology following his sharing of social media posts deemed anti-Israel, which have drawn criticism from both his club and Major League Soccer (MLS). These posts were labeled as “deeply offensive” and have sparked significant backlash.

The Jewish Chronicle initially brought attention to Gnanalingam’s activities, highlighting that he had reposted several messages on his LinkedIn profile. Among these messages were calls to “dismantle” Israel and a troubling comparison between the situation in Gaza and the Holocaust.

In his apology, Gnanalingam, a Malaysian businessman who also serves as vice chairman of the English club Queen’s Park Rangers, expressed his regret. He stated that the content he shared inadvertently caused distress and concern among various communities. “It was never my intention to offend or harm anyone, and I take full responsibility for not exercising greater caution before sharing these posts,” he articulated.

He also emphasized that he values unity, diversity, and respect for all individuals. Gnanalingam has since removed the controversial posts and announced that he would step away from social media for the foreseeable future to concentrate on his professional obligations and ensure that his public communication aligns with the standards expected from him as a global business figure.

Gnanalingam confirmed his commitment to learning from this experience and is dedicated to collaborating closely with MLS, LAFC, Queen’s Park Rangers, and other organizations to manage future communications more thoughtfully.

The reposts were flagged by the investigative organization GnasherJews and reported to The Jewish Chronicle. In response to the situation, both LAFC and MLS issued a joint statement, reinforcing their stance against hate: “MLS and LAFC believe in unity and we stand firmly against hate in any form,” they stated. They also mentioned that the league is reviewing the situation and would refrain from making any additional comments at this time.