On Sunday, Major League Soccer and Los Angeles FC released a joint statement condemning anti-Israel posts apparently re-shared by LAFC co-owner Ruben Gnanalingam on LinkedIn. Gnanalingam, who is also a co-owner of EFL club Queen’s Park Rangers, apologized for the posts that evening.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
Gnanalingam’s social media behavior was first reported on by The Jewish Chronicle early on Saturday morning, hours before QPR’s FA Cup fourth-round match at Millwall. The reporting cited “a litany of anti-Israel posts,” including one that called for Israel to be “dismantled,” another that lamented “fascist Nazi Zionism” and another that referenced a conspiracy theory claiming Israel has a plan to “conquer the Arab world.” The posts were re-shared by Gnanalingam and not published by him personally, according to the report. The Athletic was unable to view the posts, as Gnanalingam’s account appears to have been deleted.
Gnanalingam apologized for the posts in a statement released by LAFC on Sunday.
“I deeply regret that content shared on my social media account has caused distress and concern,” he said. “It was never my intention to offend or harm anyone, and I take responsibility for not exercising greater caution before sharing these posts. I sincerely apologize to those affected, including my colleagues, friends, and family. As someone who values unity, diversity, and respect for all people, I take full responsibility for my actions and have since removed the reposts.
“I have decided to step away from social media for the foreseeable future to focus on my professional responsibilities and ensure my communication reflects the values and high standards expected of me as a global business leader,” Gnanalingam continued. “I am committed to learning from this and working closely with MLS, LAFC, QPR, and other organizations to ensure I handle matters of public communication with greater care in the future.”
LAFC’s website currently lists Gnanalingam as a “director and owner” among their suite of 25 partners. His involvement dates back to the MLS club’s earliest stages of ideation, with Sports Illustrated reporting the Malaysian businessman among LAFC’s investors back in 2014. Gnanalingam accrued his wealth as CEO of Westports, which holds the majority share of cargo in Port Klang, Malaysia. Gnanalingam first became a major shareholder in Queen’s Park Rangers in 2011 before being elevated to co-chairman in 2014.
