Barcelona respond to Boateng visit backlash

In response to criticism following Jerome Boateng’s visit to Barcelona, former Bayern Munich and German defender, the club announced that they are “fully committed to combating gender-based violence.”

The club shared a video with the title “Welcome to the Ciutat Esportiva, Jerome Boateng” that was seen him hugging and conversing with former team-mate Robert Lewandowski during training last week on X.

After being found guilty of premeditated bodily harm against his former partner, Boateng received a 200, 000 euro (£176, 000) fine and a warning from a Munich court last year.

The 37-year-old had filed an appeal against a 2021 initial guilty verdict and denied injuring the mother of his twin daughters during a fight over a vacation in 2018.

Two days before Barcelona’s first game since moving to the newly renovated Nou Camp stadium in more than two years, Boateng was captured on video.

In honor of all the women who have been killed by male violence before the game, the club announced a minute’s silence would be observed to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Fans on social media criticized the club’s video and subsequent announcement, calling it “ironic” and “embarrassing.”

Barcelona stated in a statement that “Jerome Boateng does not play an active role in the club.”

His sole presence was a one-time, educational visit as part of his personal quest for a coaching license.

There were no sporting or representative duties on the institutional invitation.

The club continues to support gender-based violence without fail. We appreciate the urgency of this issue and regret any inconsistencies.

Nothing that occurred was intended to undermine the message that we have given in our tributes and poignant moments of remembrance of women who were killed by male violence.

Due to protests and a backlash from supporters, Boateng, who was a member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup winning squad, was forced to cancel a coaching internship he had scheduled at Bayern Munich last month.

Boateng retired from professional football in September and plans to work as a coach once his Uefa B coaching license is issued in November 2024.