Westports Holdings Bhd executive chairperson Ruben Gnanalingam, co-owner of American football team Los Angeles FC (LAFC), has apologised for resharing social media posts criticising Israel.
Foreign media reported that Major League Soccer (MLS) club LAFC issued a joint statement condemning the matter.
“I deeply regret that content shared on my social media account has caused distress and concern,” said Ruben, who is also the majority stakeholder in Queens Park Rangers FC.
“It was never my intention to offend or harm anyone, and I take full responsibility for not exercising greater caution before sharing these posts. I sincerely apologise to those affected, including my colleagues, friends, and family. As someone who values unity, diversity, and respect for all, I acknowledge my mistake and have since removed the reposts.”
Ruben, whose family ranks 12th on Forbes Malaysia’s 50 richest list for 2024, also announced his decision to step away from social media.
“I have decided to take a break from social media to focus on my professional responsibilities and ensure my communication aligns with the values and high standards expected of me as a global business leader. I am committed to learning from this experience and working closely with MLS, LAFC, QPR, and other organisations to ensure my future public communications are handled with greater care.”
Media reports indicate that scrutiny of Ruben’s social media activity followed a report by The Jewish Chronicle on Saturday. The report highlighted multiple posts allegedly shared by him, including calls for the “dismantling” of Israel, criticisms of “fascist Nazi Zionism,” and references to a conspiracy theory suggesting Israel intends to “conquer the Arab world.”