JEROME BOATENG DENIED CHANCE TO TRAIN AS BAYERN MUNICH COACH
Jerome Boateng will not return to Bayern Munich for a coaching internship after fan protests. The club and player mutually cancelled the plan following backlash over his past legal issues.
Jerome Boateng has cancelled a coaching internship at Bayern Munich after fans protested due to his assault against his ex-girlfriend -COURTESY/PHOTO
Former Bayern Munich player Jerome Boateng was supposed to return to the Säbener Straße to examine the team's coaching and licensing programs after he announced his retirement from professional football last month. However, the 37-year-old will need to find another location to start thinking about his post-playing future after protests from fans of the German record champions.
For more than 10 years, the youngest of the three renowned Boateng brothers from Berlin's Charlottenburg neighbourhood devotedly served Bayern, winning the Champions League twice with the FCB. However, the Bayern fans have found the 2014 World Cup winner's troubled past with domestic abuse to be too much.
It was for precisely these reasons that Bayern decided not to sign Boateng during his final prolonged stint with the team in 2023.
It is crucial to remember that in several cases where accusations were made against Boateng (like the well-known death of his ex-girlfriend in 2022), charges were eventually dropped for lack of proof. Additionally, Boateng has refuted every accusation made against him.
In a case that was first launched in 2021, Boateng was ultimately convicted guilty of assault by a Munich court in 2024 despite multiple appeals. The aforementioned incident first happened in 2018.
Protests broke out in the FanKurve during last Saturday's Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena as soon as it was announced that Boateng would be returning to the Säbener Straße.
Both Bayern and Boateng confirmed the cancellation of the collaboration in remarks released a week later. Vincent Kompany, Boateng's old colleague from Manchester City and Hamburger SV, who helped Bayern welcome him back, had not yet issued an official statement on the subject as of this posting.
"Jerome Boateng and FC Bayern had a positive conversation this week, and it was determined that Boateng would not be interning at Bayern," the FCB club statement said. "Jerome feels a strong bond with FC Bayern and does not want the current contentious debate about him to hurt FC Bayern."
In his own statement, Boateng said, "I have chosen to focus on other things due to the current discussions about me." "I appreciate Vincent Kompany and the club having faith in me. At the end of the season, I genuinely hope that you [the team] accomplish your major objectives. You should just concentrate on the field and the objective of extending this outstanding winning streak of 13 games in a row.
DISCIPLINARY BLOW: MADRID PLAYER SUSPENDED POST EL CLáSICO TUSSLE
Real Madrid's backup keeper Andriy Lunin has been handed a one-game suspension by the RFEF for his aggressive conduct on the bench during the heated final moments of El Clásico. Real Madrid's appeal was rejected.
El Clásico Scuffle - Photo Credit Getty Images
Los Blancos' goalie Andriy Lunin has been suspended for one game by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the sideline dramas during the El Clásico's final moments. Although the cameras did not catch it, referee Soto Grado did record that he had sent the Ukrainian off.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the RFEF responded as follows when asked why Lunin received a red card.
The reason for Lunin, Andrii's expulsion in the 90th minute was that he had to be restrained by his teammates after he walked aggressively from his bench to the blonde bench.
The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
"When considered significant, those whose behaviour violates sporting order will be suspended for four to ten games or fined between 602 and 3,006 euros."
Because of Lunin's actions, which constituted a minor violation of the sporting order, he was suspended for one game. The ruling had been challenged by Real Madrid. However, the RFEF stayed steadfast, defending the referee's ruling and the evidence in the match report and on film.
Now, the backup goalie will not play against Valencia this weekend, where he is probably going to be benched. Fran Gonzalez and Sunico, both from the youth team, might be called up as the matchday squad's third choice, with Sergio Mestre serving as a backup.
No Barcelona players or any other Real Madrid players were slapped with bans following the two flash moments in the closing stages of the game. When Vinicius Jr. and Lamie Yamal argued, even players who were not on the team were spotted shoving on the side of the field. The RFEF, however, determined that nothing that came to pass would justify further prohibitions.
ARSENAL STAR DROPS CONFIDENT TITLE HINT AFTER STRONG OPENING
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is targeting a historic Premier League and World Cup double with England this season. The winger believes it's a "doable" feat as the Gunners lead the title race.
Bukayo Saka - (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
According to Bukayo Saka, it is feasible for Arsenal and England to win both games this season. The season has started well for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Arsenal leads the Premier League standings by four points at the moment and is starting to look like a title contender. Manchester City is only one point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, who are seven points behind.
Saka, however, is not only interested in winning at his club; he also hopes to succeed internationally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that winning the trophy is his ambition for England, who have qualified for the World Cup in the USA next year.
Saka is optimistic about his club's and his nation's chances of winning. "Yeah, that is my prayer," he remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. It is possible, of course.