Across the street from the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing, the venue of Arsenal’s first ever match in China in 1995, shoppers at an Adidas store ignore a rack of puffer jackets, football shirts and backpacks bearing the football club’s name. One, inspecting a range of Adidas clothing released for Chinese New Year, says he had once been a fan of Arsenal’s Mesut Özil, but since the star midfielder had condemned China’s treatment of the country’s Uighur people, he has changed his mind. “Now I think he’s irresponsible. What he said damages national unity. As a football star with so many fans, he should not get into politics,” the shopper says. The man then goes on to admit that he is, in fact, a Manchester United supporter. Controversy over Özil’s remarks this week has shone a light on the challenges – and compromises – foreign organisations face in trying to do business in China. But it also draws attention to the unique role played by sport, both in contemporary China and in exerting soft power for western countries abroad. Eight days ago, Özil, a practising Muslim of Turkish descent, posted a message on Instagram urging support for the Uighur Muslim population…