Kevin Behrens, Wolfsburg striker and German international, made homophobic comments by refusing to sign a jersey with rainbow-colored printing.
This is a shocking turn of events for a simple marketing and internal operation at the VfL Wolfsburg club at the end of September. The German daily Bild revealed this Wednesday that footballer Kevin Behrens, 33-year-old striker, made homophobic remarks during a seemingly innocuous situation. The marketing operation involved players from Wolfsburg, a historic club in Germany, participating in a signing session by signing various objects, which would then be sold or used for competitions or charitable actions.
Among these items was a special edition of the team’s jersey as part of a day dedicated to the fight against homophobia, as has happened in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 in recent years. The rainbow color accompanied the names and numbers on the back of the jerseys as well as various logos on the tunic. Kevin Behrens repeatedly refused to autograph the jersey in question. “I won’t sign this gay shit”would have let go of the German international (selection in October 2023).
Behrens apologizes for his ‘spontaneous statements’
The remarks would have shocked witnesses to the scene. The player was invited to explain himself to the Wolfsburg sporting director. “The attacker then made it credibly clear that he had no aversion to homosexuals”écrit Bild. No information regarding a possible sanction has filtered out.
IMAGO/Noah Wedel / PANORAMIC
Wolfsburg confirmed that “remarks were made” and that they “are not in agreement with the position” you club. “The club and its employees represent diversity and tolerance, core values such as respect, sincerity and openness have always been firmly anchored in the club’s philosophy”added the current 12th in the German championship.
Contacted by BildKevin Behrens also reacted: “My spontaneous statements were absolutely not correct. I would like to apologize for that.” The information angered many Wolfsburg supporters, with some calling for his departure on social networks. A former Union Berlin player, Behrens is a substitute at Wolfsburg where he has only played three matches this season (zero starts). In his career, he has 15 goals in 91 appearances in the Bundesliga.
