Barcelona Addresses Criticism Over Jerome Boateng’s Visit

Jerome Boateng announced his retirement from professional football in September after a tenure with Austrian club LASK.

FC Barcelona has reiterated its strong commitment to combating gender-based violence in light of criticism stemming from a recent visit by the former Bayern Munich and Germany defender, Jerome Boateng.

Last week, the club shared a video on X, titled ‘Welcome to the Ciutat Esportiva, Jerome Boateng,’ which featured him interacting with former teammate Robert Lewandowski during a training session.

Boateng had previously received a suspended fine of 200,000 euros (£176,000) and a warning from a Munich court after being found guilty of premeditated bodily harm against his former partner. The 37-year-old has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to an incident during a 2018 vacation, where he was accused of injuring the mother of his twin daughters. Following an initial guilty verdict in 2021, he appealed the decision, leading to last year’s trial—the third involving Boateng.

Barcelona released the video of Boateng just two days prior to the club’s first match at their renovated Nou Camp stadium in over two years. In conjunction with the game, the club announced a minute’s silence to honor all women killed by male violence, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The video’s release, coupled with the club’s announcement, sparked significant criticism on social media, with many fans labeling the situation as “embarrassing” and “ironic.”

In response, Barcelona issued a statement clarifying, “Jerome Boateng has no contractual relationship or active role within the club. His presence was solely a one-off, educational visit as part of his personal process toward obtaining a coaching license. It was not an institutional invitation for any sporting or representative duties.”

The club further emphasized its commitment to addressing gender-based violence, stating, “We understand the sensitivity surrounding this issue and regret any perception of inconsistency. Our tributes and moments of remembrance for women victimized by male violence are essential and non-negotiable values for us, and nothing that occurred was intended to undermine that message.”

Last month, Boateng, who was part of Germany’s squad that won the 2014 World Cup, had to cancel a planned coaching internship at Bayern Munich due to protests and backlash from fans.

Having concluded his playing career in September, Boateng is now focusing on becoming a coach, with plans to obtain his UEFA B coaching license by November 2024. Notably, another former partner of Boateng tragically took her own life in 2021, shortly after their relationship ended.