Bayern Munich legend Jerome Boateng has cancelled a coaching internship at the club after fans protested vehemently against his involvement. Supporters raised banners telling him to 'p*** off' during a recent 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, following his conviction for bodily harm against his former partner.
Boateng, 37, was found guilty last year of premeditated bodily harm against the mother of his twins in 2018. He avoided jail but received a suspended fine of just over £168,000 and a warning. The German World Cup winner denied the accusation.
He had been lined up to shadow manager Vincent Kompany, with Bayern aiming to help 'rehabilitate' him. However, Boateng pulled out to protect the club's reputation and focus on other pursuits. 'That's where my focus is right now,' he wrote on Instagram, 'and your full focus should be solely on the pitch.'
Bayern fans had launched a petition titled 'Setting borders against misogynistic violence: Jerome Boateng should not be allowed back to Bayern Munich.' Their banners at the Dortmund game read: 'Whoever gives the perpetrator space shares his guilt. Boateng, p*** off!'
CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen had defended the plan, saying: 'I believe that every person is entitled to rehabilitation.' But Bayern have accepted the cancellation, and Boateng will now focus on his UEFA A Licence and his business ventures, RYZR and Arena2.
