Wolfsburg striker Kevin Behrens has landed himself in scorching water after ‘refusing to signal an autograph on a rainbow jersey selling variety’ in a fan session.
The 33-year-old reportedly shunned the shirt quite a few instances earlier than launching right into a foul-mouthed rant, saying ‘I will not signal that type of homosexual s***’.
An inside assembly was then known as with the striker compelled to elucidate his actions to sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz. At this level, Behrens insisted he ‘had no aversion to homosexuals’, Bild studies.
The Bundesliga membership mentioned their participant’s actions ‘weren’t in step with [their] stance’ and he has since been suspended.
‘Homophobia has no place with us, Kevin is now house alone,’ Schindzielorz mentioned, based on Sky Germany.
Wolfsburg striker Kevin Behrens has landed himself in scorching water after ‘refusing to signal an autograph on a rainbow jersey selling variety’
The 33-year-old (centre) reportedly shunned the shirt quite a few instances earlier than launching right into a foul-mouthed rant, saying ‘I will not signal that type of homosexual s***’
The striker had a glittering 2022-23 marketing campaign which noticed him information his former membership Union Berlin to the Champions League
Behrens, who has only a 12 months left on his contract, has barely featured on the pitch this season for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Wolfsburg, enjoying simply 42 minutes in three transient substitute appearances.
The one-time Germany worldwide was on the bench for the complete 90 minutes throughout Saturday’s spectacular 3-1 win at Bochum.
However it’s his off-the-field actions which have gained him undesirable consideration after the September signing session went awry.
As different gamers penned autographs on jerseys and different merchandise, to be auctioned off for charity and numerous competitions, Behrens was reportedly approached by somebody providing up a rainbow shirt.
The equipment, which options the sample on components of the merchandise of clothes together with the quantity on the again, was launched 5 years in the past to indicate Wolfsburg’s ‘help for variety’ and several other new editions of the highest, in addition to scarves, cups and pins, have been launched since.
After discussing the incident with Behrens, Wolfsburg mentioned: ‘Throughout an inside assembly, statements had been made that weren’t in step with VfL Wolfsburg’s stance. The incident was instantly handled internally.
‘VfL Wolfsburg stresses that it’s conscious of its social duty. The membership and its staff stand for variety and tolerance, and elementary values resembling respect, honesty and openness have all the time been firmly anchored within the membership’s philosophy.’
In the meantime, Behrens mentioned: ‘My spontaneous feedback had been completely not okay. I want to apologise for that.
‘The difficulty was clearly mentioned internally and I ask in your understanding that I don’t want to remark additional on it.’
The striker was within the squad for the victory at Bochum though he didn’t function.
On prime of the sporting of a rainbow jersey, Wolfsburg are believed to make their staff, together with the gamers, conscious of associated points in a variety coaching session.
Behrens made his one worldwide look in a 2-2 draw in opposition to Mexico final October, taking to the sphere for simply three minutes.
The saga comes after Wolfsburg man Felix Nmecha made allegedly transphobic remarks in a social media publish in 2023
In an analogous controversy, midfielder Josip Brekalo refused to put on a rainbow armband 5 years prior
The run-out got here after a glittering 2022-23 marketing campaign which noticed the ahead information his former membership Union Berlin to the Champions League, however since his transfer in January he has bagged only one aim.
The saga comes after Wolfsburg man Felix Nmecha made allegedly transphobic remarks in a social media publish in 2023.
In an analogous controversy, midfielder Josip Brekalo refused to put on a rainbow armband 5 years prior.
