Footballer Kevin Behrens made a homophobic attack at a marketing meeting. The club confirmed the incident. Now the player speaks out.
Kevin Behrens had to complete a mandatory event for football professionals. The attacker, who works for VfL Wolfsburg, was supposed to sign fan merchandise at a book signing. The signed items are intended for sale, competitions or club fundraisers. This is everyday life for professionals.
At the end of September there was a scandal, as “Sport Bild” reported. When Behrens was asked to sign a special jersey for diversity and tolerance, he refused several times. The sentence “I won’t sign such gay shit” was said, as employees of the club reported. The club logo, shirt number, sponsor and player names of the special jersey were designed in rainbow colors.
After the loss, the attacker was summoned to sports director Sebastian Schindzielorz, where he credibly assured that he had nothing against homosexuals.
VfL Wolfsburg confirms incident with Kevin Behrens
The club has now confirmed the incident. “During an internal meeting, there were statements that were not in line with the stance of VfL Wolfsburg. The incident was immediately dealt with internally,” the club wrote. It continues: “VfL Wolfsburg emphasizes that it is aware of its social responsibility. The club and its employees stand for diversity and tolerance; fundamental values such as respect, honesty and openness have always been firmly anchored in the club’s philosophy.”
In fact, the factory club from the Autostadt is one of the pioneers in the fight for diversity and against homophobia. Wolfsburg was the first professional club in Germany to show the rainbow colors on the jersey or captain’s armband.
Behrens, who is rarely used in sports under new coach Ralph Hasenhüttl, has now publicly apologized. “My spontaneous statements were absolutely not okay. I would like to apologize for that. The topic was clearly discussed internally and I ask for your understanding that I do not want to comment further on it,” he said. VfL did not provide any information about possible sanctions. All that is known is that the professional signed the jersey in the end and is still in the squad.
Source: “”, DPA
Source: Stern
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