Turkish-origin footballer slammed over sexist referee remarks in Germany

DÜSSELDORF

A Turkish-origin football player in Germany has been slammed over sexist remarks made on social media after a recent match officiated by a woman referee, German media has reported.

Kerem Demirbay, 22, who plays for Fortuna Düsseldorf, tweeted about Bibiana Steinhaus, the referee of last weekend’s match between FSC Frankfurt and Fortuna Düsseldorf, during which he was sent off in the 85th minute after receiving a second yellow card.

“I think women have no business in men’s football,” Demirbay said in a social media post, before immediately deleting the message.

He later apologized to Steinhaus over his remarks, but he is still reportedly expected to receive a penalty from the German Football Federation as well as a disciplinary penalty from his club.

Fortuna Düsseldorf chairman Paul Jaeger has also commented on the incident, saying it would be “better for Demiray to express his opinion on the issue by refereeing a women’s match.”