Kevin Behrens has shown remorse after his serious omission during the friendly match between FC Lugano and Viktoria Plzen and asked his teammate Georgios Koutsias to apologize.
“I would like to apologize for what happened, first and foremost to Koutsias. My behavior towards him was wrong and unacceptable, as was the insults I used. I take full responsibility for that,” Behrens was quoted as saying in a statement on the Swiss first division club’s website.
Behrens insults fellow players in a friendly
The former Bundesliga professional from Union Berlin and VfL Wolfsburg had completely lost his nerve in the friendly against the Czech first division team. In the scandal scene, he simply pushed his teammate Koutsias to the ground and gave him unpleasant words: “You little freak, be quiet,” he insulted his 22-year-old colleague.
“I also apologize to my teammates and the club. Regardless of the tension of the moment, I should never have allowed myself such behavior,” Behrens added in his statement.
At the beginning of the first session of the training week, he is said to have apologized to the club, his teammates and especially the affected teammate Koutsias.
Serious consequences for Behrens? Lugano is keeping a low profile
It is still unclear what exact consequences Behrens will face. FC Lugano announced immediately after the game that they wanted to investigate the incident. According to the club, this has now been done “with the utmost seriousness and the necessary care”.
“Appropriate disciplinary measures were examined and decided upon in accordance with the club’s internal regulations and the responsibility that each player bears towards the team and the club”.
FC Lugano firmly reiterated that “the behavior shown was in no way compatible with the values, principles and sporting culture of the club”.
Criticism of Behrens: “A player should never be allowed to do this”
The Swiss do not want to show any understanding for the failure. “Regardless of the nervousness and emotions that can arise in sporting competition, such a reaction is not tolerable and must never be allowed to happen to a player – especially not a professional with the experience of Kevin Behrens,” is the clear statement from the Ticino team.
In view of the harsh and critical words, it can be assumed that Behrens did not get away scot-free, but that the matter was settled internally. It will be interesting to see whether the 34-year-old will be part of the squad when FC Lugano visits FC Luzern on Saturday evening (in LIVETICKER).
It is not the first time that Behrens has attracted attention with questionable behavior. The attacker caused a homophobia scandal over a year ago when he refused to sign a rainbow jersey. He also described this as “gay shit”.
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