Barcelona Addresses Controversy Surrounding Jerome Boateng’s Visit

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

Barcelona has stated its unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence amid criticism related to a visit by the former Bayern Munich and Germany defender, Jerome Boateng. The club shared a video on social media, captioned ‘Welcome to the Ciutat Esportiva, Jerome Boateng,’ which featured him interacting with his former teammate Robert Lewandowski during a training session.

In 2022, a Munich court imposed a suspended fine of 200,000 euros (£176,000) on Boateng after he was convicted of premeditated bodily harm against his ex-partner. The 37-year-old athlete denied any wrongdoing, asserting he did not injure the mother of his twin daughters during a disagreement while on vacation in 2018. His appeal against an initial guilty verdict from 2021 marked the third trial regarding his case.

Barcelona’s video of Boateng was released just two days before the club’s first match back at their newly renovated Nou Camp stadium in over two years. Prior to the game, the club announced a minute’s silence in remembrance of all women who have lost their lives due to male violence, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The release of the video sparked significant criticism on social media, with fans labeling it as “embarrassing” and “ironic.”

In response, Barcelona clarified: “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 licence. It was not an institutional invitation for any sporting or representative duties.”

The club emphasized its commitment to addressing gender-based violence, acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue and expressing regret for any perceived inconsistency. “Our tributes and moments of remembrance for women killed by male violence are an essential and non-negotiable value for us, and nothing that took place was intended to undermine that message,” the statement continued.

Last month, Boateng, a member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad, had to cancel a coaching internship with Bayern Munich following protests from fans.

Having concluded his playing career in September, Boateng aims to transition into coaching and is set to receive his UEFA B coaching licence in November 2024. It is noteworthy that another former partner of Boateng tragically took her own life in 2021, following the end of their relationship, as reported in Germany at the time.