Dave Chappelle has sparked controversy after claiming he doesn’t believe the men who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse in documentary Leaving Neverland.

The comedian criticised Jimmy Safechuck and Wade Robson in a new Netflix special titled Sticks & Stones, telling the audience: “I don’t believe these motherf***ers.”

Around the eight-minute mark of the special, Chappelle suggests that getting abused by Jackson wouldn’t be as bad as getting abused by someone who isn’t as famous as the singer.

“I mean, it’s Michael Jackson. I know more than half the people in this room have been molested in their lives, but it wasn’t no goddamn Michael Jackson, was it? This kid got his d*** sucked by the King of Pop. All we get is awkward Thanksgivings for the rest of our lives. You know how good it must have felt to go to school the next day after that s****?”

Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Show all 9 1 /9 Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson with accuser Wade Robson Sundance Insitute Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Accuser Wade Robson meeting Michael Jackson for the first time Channel 4 Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson with the Robson family Channel 4 Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson at the home of accuser James Safechuck Channel 4 Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Dan Reed approached the Michael Jackson documentary with 'all the scepticism and rigorousness that I would approach a story about a terrorist attack' Channel 4 Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson leaves the courtroom on a break at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for the second day of closing arguments in his child molestation trial in Santa Maria, California, 2005 AFP/Getty Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson accuser Wade Robson Channel 4 Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers James Safechuck, another of Jackson's accusers Channel 4 Leaving Neverland – photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed Channel 4

He continued: “I know it seems harsh, but somebody’s gotta teach these kids. No such thing as a free trip to Hawaii. He’s going to want to look at your butthole or something.”

Chappelle also referenced Macauley Culkin's friendship with the singer, saying: “I’m not a paedophile, but if I was, Macaulay Culkin’s the first kid I’m f***ing. I’ll tell you that right now.”

Meanwhile, Chappelle said he’s “pretty sure” the allegations against disgraced rapper R Kelly are true, but threw his support onto fellow comedian Louis CK, who found himself under the spotlight after allegations of sexual misconduct were levelled against him in 2017.