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' in a recent 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund because last year he was found guilty of bodily harm against his former partner.
Boateng, 37, avoided jail but was given a suspended fine of just over£168,000 and a warning after committing premeditated bodily harm against the mother of his twins in 2018. The German World Cup winner denied the accusation.
He was lined up to shadow manager Vincent Kompany and Bayern wanted to help 'rehabilitate' him but Boateng has pulled out to protect the club's reputation and focus on other pursuits. The pair had played together at Manchester City.
“That's where my focus is right now,” he wrote on Instagram, 'and your full focus should be solely on the pitch – and the goal of continuing this impressive streak of 13 consecutive games [wins].
'I am very grateful to the club management and to you, dear Vincent, for the trust and the opportunity to be part of this. I wish you all from the bottom of my heart that you achieve your big goals at the end of the season. I would also like to sincerely thank the many fans for their numerous messages and support. Yours, Boa.'
Bayern fans have got their wish after launching a petition titled 'Setting borders against misogynistic violence: Jerome Boateng should not be allowed back to Bayern Munich.'
Their banners at the Dortmund game on October 18 read: 'Whoever gives the perpetrator space shares his guilt. Boateng, p*** off!'
Kompany had openly welcomed the idea of Boateng coming into the camp while CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: 'I believe that every person is entitled to rehabilitation.
Furthermore, the verdict should be considered in its entirety. And again: We have no employment relationship with Jerome.
