2025年11月29日，英超布萊頓足球俱樂部因日本國腳三笘薰與青訓球員手持二戰日本戰犯小野田寬郎的照片而引發爭議，並公開向中國球迷道歉。

事件的起因是在11月27日，布萊頓青訓學院於社交平臺上發布一張照片，照片中三笘薰與一名青訓球員手持印有小野田寬郎肖像的卡片。小野田寬郎是二戰期間在菲律賓犯下屠殺罪行的日本軍官，他直到1974年才投降，戰後在部分日本人眼中仍被視為“英雄”。該照片迅速引發中國、菲律賓等多國球迷的強烈不滿，他們認為此舉是對日本軍國主義歷史的美化。

面對爭議，布萊頓俱樂部於11月29日刪除該照片並發表聲明道歉，強調“絕無冒犯中國球迷之意”。然而，俱樂部並未向菲律賓及其他受日本二戰侵略影響的國家道歉，此舉引起部分網民不滿，尤其是韓國和菲律賓的網友質疑俱樂部只向中國道歉的選擇，認為二戰期間日本的罪行涉及多國，應向更廣泛的受害國表示歉意。對此，俱樂部未有進一步回應。

歷史背景方面，小野田寬郎在菲律賓盧邦島殺害30名平民，戰後被赦免並受到日本國內部分人士的歡迎。此次事件涉及的歷史敏感問題，以及日本對二戰侵略行為的態度，引發國際社會的批評和討論。整個事件不僅涉及足球界的公關危機，也凸顯出對歷史敏感議題在國際交流中的高度關注與爭議。

On November 29, 2025, English Premier League club Brighton faced controversy after Japanese international Kaoru Mitoma and a youth academy player were photographed holding a card featuring World War II Japanese war criminal Hiroo Onoda. The club subsequently issued a public apology to Chinese fans.

The incident began on November 27, when Brighton’s youth academy posted a photo on social media showing Mitoma and a youth player holding a card with Onoda’s portrait. Onoda was a Japanese officer who committed massacres in the Philippines during World War II and did not surrender until 1974. In some circles in Japan, he is still regarded as a “hero.” The photo quickly sparked strong backlash from fans in China, the Philippines, and other countries, who criticized it as glorifying Japan’s militaristic past.

In response to the controversy, Brighton deleted the photo on November 29 and issued a statement apologizing, emphasizing that there was “no intention to offend Chinese fans.” However, the club did not extend the apology to the Philippines or other countries affected by Japanese wartime aggression, drawing criticism from online users, particularly in South Korea and the Philippines. Many questioned why the apology was directed solely at China, arguing that Japan’s wartime crimes involved multiple nations and that a broader acknowledgment was warranted. Brighton has not provided further comment.

Historically, Hiroo Onoda killed 30 civilians on Lubang Island in the Philippines and was later pardoned, receiving recognition in some parts of Japan. The incident touches on sensitive historical issues and Japan’s stance on its wartime actions, sparking international criticism and discussion. Beyond being a public relations issue for the football club, the event highlights the heightened attention and sensitivity surrounding historical controversies in international interactions.