Jorginho criticizes Chapelle Rhone security guard for making daughter cry
Former Chelsea and Arsenal player Jorginho is best known as a defensive midfielder.
But he has gone viral on social media for his attack on pop singer Chappell Roan, alleging that his security guard brought tears to the eyes of his 11-year-old daughter.
The 34-year-old Italy international, who has dual Brazilian citizenship and now plays for Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro, claimed in an Instagram post that his family encountered a “very disturbing situation” during breakfast at a hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The former Premier League midfielder said his daughter was a big fan of Chappell Rhone and had hinted at going to the Lollapalooza music festival in Sao Paulo, which the singer was headlining.
She says her daughter recognised the star while eating at a nearby table and walked past her, smiled, and then went back to her seat without saying anything or asking the Pink Pony Club singer anything.
“What happened next was completely incomprehensible,” he wrote.
“While they were having breakfast, a large security guard came to their table and started talking to both of my wives in a very aggressive manner. [Catherine Harding] And my daughter, saying that she should not allow my daughter to ‘insult’ or ‘harass’ other people.”
She further added, “He even said that he would file a complaint against them at the hotel while my 11-year-old daughter was sitting there crying. My daughter was extremely shocked and cried a lot.”
The BBC has contacted Chappell Rhone for comment but he has yet to respond to Jorginho’s claims.
The footballer said he understands well the pressure of public attention after playing 57 times for Italy – helping them win the European title in 2021 by beating England at Wembley.
He has also played for elite clubs throughout Europe and Brazil— winning the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea and silverware in Italy with Napoli.
But he added, “I understand very well what respect and boundaries are. That’s not what happened there. It was just a kid praising someone.”
“It’s sad to see this kind of behaviour from people who should understand the importance of fans. At the end of the day, they’re the ones who make it all happen.
“I sincerely hope this episode will be a moment of reflection. No one should have to go through this, especially not a child.”
Jorginho ended his emotional post with a direct message to Chappell Rhone, which read in capital letters: “Without your fans, you would be nothing. And as for the fans, she does not deserve your affection.”
The “unexpected beef”, as described by some commentators, led to a flood of reactions on social media in support of Jorginho and his family – some serious, some pointed.
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Cavaliere, wrote that he intended to ban Chappell Roan from performing in his city, adding that Jorginho’s daughter would be invited as guest of honour to the city’s Todo Mundo music festival in May.
Others cited his past comments about fans being “spooky” and “predator-like” as external.
Some even mocked the Grammy Award winner for his lack of ability to play in the Premier League.
