Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has publicly withdrawn his criticism of pop singer Chappell Roan, clarifying that she was not involved in a security incident involving his family.
In a new statement posted on Instagram, the 34-year-old Italy international confirmed that the security guard who confronted his wife and 11-year-old daughter at a São Paulo hotel was not employed by Roan. The incident occurred after Jorginho's daughter recognized the singer during breakfast.
"Chappell Roan made a public statement, reached out privately to Catherine, and our teams also spoke directly," Jorginho stated. "It became clear that she had no knowledge of what took place at breakfast and had not asked anyone to approach them."
The footballer acknowledged that while the confrontation with his family did occur as initially described, the security guard has since confirmed he was representing another artist at the hotel. Jorginho expressed regret over the misunderstanding and its impact on all parties involved.
"It was, ultimately, a misunderstanding in that respect, and I am glad to set the record straight," he said. "I regret the impact that this situation has had on Chappell Roan, Catherine, Ada and our family."
The original incident drew significant attention in Brazil, with Rio de Janeiro's mayor even suggesting he might ban Roan from performing in the city. Jorginho emphasized that he does not support hate speech or online attacks against anyone involved.
Roan had previously responded to the initial claims, expressing sadness for the mother and child while clarifying that her personal security team was not involved. The singer, who won the BBC's Sound of 2025 poll and earned Grammy and Brit Awards that year, has now received Jorginho's formal apology and clarification.
Jorginho, who currently plays for Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro, concluded his statement by affirming his commitment to protecting his family while acknowledging when initial perceptions prove inaccurate.