FORMER ARSENAL GOALKEEPER Jens Lehmann has issued a public apology after referring to German television pundit Dennis Aogo as “a token black guy” in a WhatsApp message.
Lehmann, 51, who played for the Gunners between 2003 and 2008 and represented Germany 61 times, took to Twitter to issue an apology to Aogo, a former Hamburg and Schalke player who now works for Sky Sports in Germany.
Lehmann wrote: “In a private message from my mobile phone to Dennis Aogo, an impression was created for which I apologised in conversation with Dennis.
Advertisement
“As a former national team player he is very knowledgeable and has a great presence.”
Hertha Berlin have said Lehmann will no longer be part of their supervisory board following the WhatsApp message.
“Such statements in no way correspond to the values for which Hertha BSC stands and actively campaigns,” the club’s president Werner Gegenbauer said.
We distance ourselves from any form of racism.”
Lehmann was part of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side which went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 Premier League campaign on their way to winning the title.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
19 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Ex-German goalkeeper sacked by Hertha Berlin after sending TV pundit 'token black guy' WhatsApp message
FORMER ARSENAL GOALKEEPER Jens Lehmann has issued a public apology after referring to German television pundit Dennis Aogo as “a token black guy” in a WhatsApp message.
Lehmann, 51, who played for the Gunners between 2003 and 2008 and represented Germany 61 times, took to Twitter to issue an apology to Aogo, a former Hamburg and Schalke player who now works for Sky Sports in Germany.
Lehmann wrote: “In a private message from my mobile phone to Dennis Aogo, an impression was created for which I apologised in conversation with Dennis.
“As a former national team player he is very knowledgeable and has a great presence.”
Hertha Berlin have said Lehmann will no longer be part of their supervisory board following the WhatsApp message.
“Such statements in no way correspond to the values for which Hertha BSC stands and actively campaigns,” the club’s president Werner Gegenbauer said.
Lehmann was part of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side which went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 Premier League campaign on their way to winning the title.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Dennis Aogo Hertha Berlin Jens Lehmann Racism Arsenal none