Analysis
Robin Brant, BBC China correspondent in Beijing A few weeks ago I asked someone who is an expert on China-UK relations if the Premier League could face an 'NBA moment' if or when a player criticised China in public. English football's top flight is such a global phenomenon, so diverse in its range of players, so vast in its audience spread. The answer to my question was clearly yes. The NBA's crisis in China showed how serious and how immediate the impact on commercial interests could be. So important is football to the UK and its soft power that very senior British diplomats have pondered the impact on UK China relations of something like this. The reaction to Ozil's comments appears more muted compared to Daryl Morey's Hong Kong support. China's state machinery went after the NBA, not just the man and club. On this occasion it's targeting Ozil and to a limited extent Arsenal. Any lasting damage here is likely to be sustained by him personally. Although there will also be some praise and support. You just won't hear about that in China's state-run media.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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