Footballer Jorginho Frello Retracts Accusations Against Singer Chappell Roan
Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho Frello has publicly backtracked on his claims that American singer Chappell Roan made his young daughter cry, describing the entire incident as "a misunderstanding" that he now wants to clarify.
Initial Accusations Spark Backlash
Last month, the footballer - who is married to Catherine, mother of Jude Law's daughter Ada - took to social media to accuse Chappell Roan of leaving his 11-year-old daughter in tears during Lollapalooza Brazil. Jorginho claimed that after his daughter walked past the singer's table at their shared hotel, Chappell Roan (real name Kayleigh Rose Amstutz) sent security to reprimand the child for "harassment."
The initial post triggered significant backlash against the singer, with even Rio de Janeiro's mayor declaring she would never perform in the city again. Jorginho's statement at the time included the declaration: "WITHOUT YOUR FANS, YOU WOULD BE NOTHING. AND TO THE FANS, SHE DOES NOT DESERVE YOUR AFFECTION."
New Information Changes Narrative
In a recent Instagram statement, Jorginho explained that "new information has come to light" that has altered his understanding of what transpired. The footballer acknowledged making his initial statement "in the heat of the moment" after hearing that his child and wife had been "approached by an adult male security guard in an intimidating way."
"I reacted as any father would," Jorginho wrote. "My priority is, and always will be, protecting my family, and that is exactly what I did."
Security Guard Not Acting for Chappell Roan
The crucial development came when it became clear that the security guard involved was not employed by Chappell Roan. Celebrity bodyguard Pascal Duvier publicly confirmed he was working for another client at the hotel and described the accusations against Chappell Roan as "false and constitute defamation."
Jorginho acknowledged in his statement: "It became clear that she had no knowledge of what took place at breakfast and had not asked anyone to approach them. She was understanding and sympathetic to what had happened to our child."
The footballer added: "While we still do not know what prompted him to approach them, and do not believe an 11-year-old at breakfast could reasonably be seen as any kind of security threat, it is now clear that he was not acting on behalf of Chappell."
Regret and Clarification
Jorginho expressed regret for "the impact this situation has had on Chappell Roan, Catherine, Ada, and our family." He emphasized that while he would "always stand up for my family," he also knew "how to recognise when things were not quite what they seemed at first."
The footballer made clear his opposition to online attacks, stating: "I do not support or encourage hate speech or online attacks from any side. Respect, empathy, and humility are values I carry and teach my family every single day."
Celebrity Reactions and Aftermath
Actress and activist Jameela Jamil criticized Jorginho on Reddit, suggesting he had sparked a "global two week hate campaign" against Chappell Roan and should have apologized sooner for "throwing her under the bus."
Chappell Roan had previously attempted to clarify her position, stating that "no-one had come up to me" and that she "does not hate children." She expressed sadness that the mother and child felt uncomfortable, saying: "You did not deserve that."
Despite the clarification, the incident highlights how quickly social media accusations can escalate, particularly when involving high-profile figures with millions of followers. Jorginho concluded his statement by declaring: "As far as I am concerned, this matter is closed," while thanking fans for their support during what he called "this sensitive moment."
