Barcelona Respond To Boateng Visit Backlash

Barcelona opportunity they are "fully committed to combating gender-based violence" amid disapproval pursuing a sojourn to nan nine by erstwhile Bayern Munich and Germany defender Jerome Boateng.

Last week nan nine posted a video, external connected X captioned 'Welcome to nan Ciutat Esportiva, Jerome Boateng' successful which nan he was seen hugging and talking to erstwhile team-mate Robert Lewandowski during training.

Boateng was handed a suspended 200,000 euros (£176,000) good and a informing by a Munich tribunal past twelvemonth aft he was recovered blameworthy of premeditated bodily harm against his erstwhile partner.

The 37-year-old denied injuring nan mother of his copy daughters during an statement connected vacation successful 2018 and had appealed against an initial blameworthy verdict successful 2021.

Last year's proceedings successful Munich was nan 3rd successful nan lawsuit against Boateng.

Barcelona posted nan video of Boateng 2 days earlier nan club's first crippled backmost astatine their revamped Nou Camp stadium successful much than 2 years.

Before nan match, nan nine announced, external a minute's soundlessness would beryllium held "in representation of each those women killed by antheral unit to people nan International Day for nan Elimination of Violence against Women".

The video and consequent announcement by nan nine attracted disapproval connected societal media, pinch fans describing it arsenic an "embarrassment" and "ironic".

In a statement, Barcelona said: "Jerome Boateng has nary contractual narration aliases progressive domiciled wrong nan club.

"His beingness was solely a one-off, acquisition sojourn arsenic portion of his individual process toward obtaining a coaching licence.

"It was not an organization invitation for immoderate sporting aliases typical duties.

"The nine remains afloat committed to combating gender-based violence. We understand nan sensitivity surrounding this rumor and regret immoderate cognition of inconsistency.

"Our tributes and moments of remembrance for women killed by antheral unit are an basal and non-negotiable worth for us, and thing that took spot was intended to undermine that message."

Last period Boateng, who was portion of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning squad, had to cancel a coaching internship he had arranged astatine Bayern Munich because of protests and a backlash by fans.

Boateng ended his playing profession successful September and plans to go a coach, aft receiving his Uefa B coaching licence successful November 2024.

Another ex-girlfriend of Boateng took her ain life successful 2021. Reports successful Germany astatine nan clip said he had precocious ended their relationship.