German professional football club VfL has disciplined Wolfsburg player Kevin Behrens after he refused to autograph a gay pride shirt and left comments deemed homophobic towards a fan who asked for it.
The player refused to sign a Wolfsburg jersey with a rainbow logo LGBTQ pride According to multiple reports, Flaga Behrens also said that “I wouldn't sign a contract with that gay (expletive).”
Behrens has already apologized for the incident.
“My offhand remarks were completely inappropriate. I would like to apologize for this. “The matter has been clearly discussed internally and I ask you to understand that I do not wish to comment further on this matter,” the statement said.
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Earlier this week, VFL Wolfsburg issued a statement addressing these issues.
“During an internal meeting, statements were made that were inconsistent with the position of VfL Wolfsburg. The incident was immediately resolved internally. VfL Wolfsburg emphasized that it is aware of its social responsibility. The club and its staff are committed to diversity and tolerance, and the core values of respect, honesty and openness have always been firmly rooted in the club's philosophy,” the statement reads.
Kevin Behrens of Wolfsburg during a pre-season friendly match against Brentford on August 9, 2024 at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, England. (Jack Feeney/Offside/Offside via JT Images)
On its official diversity website, Wolfsburg says it has “been setting an example of diversity and anti-discrimination for years.”
Multiple reports indicated that Behrens had been fired from the team. However, multiple reports indicate that he is still participating in training sessions with the team.
VfL Wolfsburg did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Behrens joined the team in January after three years at Union Berlin. At the beginning of last season, he was called up to the German national team. He made his international debut last October, when he came on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with the United States.
This season he appeared in three substitute matches for Wolfsburg, spending a total of 42 minutes.
Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold, who proudly wore the rainbow captain's armband for two seasons in solidarity, condemned Behrens' comments.
“Kevin apologized for something that definitely wasn't nice. Everyone makes mistakes. “One thing is clear: something like this should never happen again, but everyone deserves a second chance,” Arnold told reporters.
Behrens is not the first person to be accused of homosexuality, which has caused reaction, bans and discipline in the world of football.
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Intersex Inclusive Pride Progress Flag with Transgender Pride Flag in London, June 10, 2024. (Photo via Mike Kemp/Getty Images)
In May, the French sports minister called for sanctions after Monaco soccer player Mohamed Kamara went into hiding. LGBTQ support message on the shirt during the team's last league match.
French Sports Minister Amelie Oudia-Castera called Mohamed Kamara's move “unacceptable” and imposed “strong sanctions” on both the player and the club.
Kamara, who is Muslim, covered her badge with white tape and refused to take a pre-match photo in front of a banner with the same message.
“Homophobia is not an opinion, it is a crime,” said Aurore Berge, French equality minister. Posted in X “And homophobia kills. Mohamed Kamara must be severely punished.”
Kamara missed the first four games of this year's professional Ligue D soccer season.
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In 2021, all Mexican national team fans were banned from attending the team's World Cup qualifying matches after fans used a Spanish song containing a term considered a homophobic slur. The team was forced to play its home qualifying matches in an empty stadium and was fined $73,000.
Mexican Football Federation president Ion de Luisa acknowledged the song is a long-standing tradition for the team when he addressed the fan ban at a press conference this summer.
football (Getty Images)
“It has been a debate for us in the Mexican federation for many years,” De Luisa said. “It's not a debate anymore. If it is discriminatory, we should avoid it.”
FIFA announced the Criminal Code July 2019 to combat offensive chants from spectators. Under the code, referees are expected to warn spectators when offensive shouts are used, but if they are repeated, referees must stop the match and send players to the locker room.
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