St. Pauli in a dispute: Supervisory board member insults Captain Irvine!

St. Pauli in a dispute: Supervisory board member insults Captain Irvine!

FC St. Pauli is currently confronted with a violent conflict within the club's management. The focus is on captain Jackson Irvine, who responded to the unfriendly comments made by a board member. René Born, who has been active on the supervisory board since 2022, insulted Irvine on Instagram and described him as a “mercenary” and “footnote”. Born commented under a picture of the Irvine couple: “No one is bigger than the club” and concluded by saying that Irvine would be playing elsewhere in a few months. These derogatory comments angered not only Irvine, but also his wife Jemilla Pir.

After Born deleted his offensive comments, Jemilla Pir posted a screenshot and video accusing Born of bullying. She called for people to confront bullies. The club itself distanced itself internally from Born's statements and informed the couple that they could not tolerate such disrespectful comments. “This is our club, not yours,” Born emphasized with disrespectful arrogance in his appearance.

The club context and the club’s perspective

The situation surrounding FC St. Pauli is causing concern. While the sporting start to the season is rated as satisfactory despite two defeats, Jackson Irvine is not yet fully operational due to a stress reaction in his foot. This given situation could further increase the pressure on him and the club if internal disputes become public.

The club management found clear words and appealed to everyone involved to treat each other respectfully and constructively. People warn that mudslinging on social media could damage the club's image. However, it remains unclear what consequences René Born could expect for his behavior, since the supervisory board is elected by the club members and other committees cannot intervene directly. Conversations have already taken place regarding Born's behavior.

Bullying and its consequences in the club environment

Bullying is a serious problem that can occur in many clubs. According to information on the ARAG website, which provides information about bullying in the club, it is essential that such incidents are addressed quickly and openly. This not only serves to protect the victim, but also promotes a healthy club atmosphere. With her support for her husband, Jemilla Pir has brought the topic of bullying in sport back into the conversation, which is considered important in order to create awareness of how it is dealt with within clubs.

The coming weeks will show how FC St. Pauli deals with this delicate situation and whether clarification between the conflicting parties is possible. One thing is certain: the club is under observation and it is to be hoped that a positive turnaround can be found in this matter.

For more information about bullying in the club environment, further details can be found on the ARAG website: Bullying in the club.