Barcelona, Spain—Barcelona has issued a statement defending a recent visit by retired German defender Jerome Boateng, following widespread social media criticism that accused the club of hypocrisy due to the player’s legal history involving domestic violence.
Last week, the club’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a video welcoming Boateng, who was seen warmly interacting with former teammate Robert Lewandowski at the Ciutat Esportiva training ground. This gesture drew immediate backlash, as Boateng was handed a suspended €200,000 fine and a warning by a Munich court last year after being found guilty of premeditated bodily harm against his former partner during a 2018 holiday argument.
The controversy was amplified because the video was posted just two days before the club’s first match at the revamped Nou Camp, where a minute’s silence was announced “in memory of all those women killed by male violence to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.” Fans quickly labeled the timing “ironic” and an “embarrassment.”
Club Statement: Educational Visit, Not Institutional
In response to the mounting pressure, Barcelona released a formal statement emphasizing its commitment to social values while explaining the nature of Boateng’s presence.
“Jerome Boateng has no contractual relationship or active role within the club,” the statement read. “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 reiterated its position on gender violence: “The club remains fully committed to combating gender-based violence. We understand the sensitivity surrounding this issue and regret any perception of inconsistency.”
It concluded by stressing that their tributes for victims of male violence are an “essential and non-negotiable value for us, and nothing that took place was intended to undermine that message.”
This incident marks the second time a European giant has faced fan backlash over Boateng. Last month, he was forced to cancel a coaching internship at his former club, Bayern Munich, following similar protests. Boateng retired from professional football in September 2025 and is currently working towards his UEFA B coaching licence.
