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A32 sports
Diahuebs 25 Maart 2021

German coach apologizes for sexist remarks to female refs

women’s or girls’ team be-
fore June 30 as part of his “The preposterous statement
punishment. and inconceivable ‘punish-
ment’ of coaching a women’s
This caused widespread criti- team are only a manifesta-
cism. The WDFV called for tion of thought patterns that
a review of the decision, the are unfortunately still far too
German soccer federation widespread in soccer today,”
(DFB) slammed the “incom- he said.
prehensible” judgment, and
female soccer players from Keller added it was important
across Germany’s top two “that we all fight against it to-
divisions issued a joint-state- gether. I promised our female
ment on Saturday in which players my full support.”
they asked “how the training
of a women’s or girls’ team Vogel said he understood the
can be defined as punish- anger caused by his offer be-
ment” and said it “discrimi- ing perceived as a punish-
nates against all women in ment and not as a means of
sport.” It was shared by Ger- apology.
many captain Alexandra Popp
among others. “My intention was always to
follow up my verbal apology
“We're in the year 2021!!!” with action,” said Vogel, who
(AP) — A German coach gestion to the sports court in a statement on the club Popp wrote on Instagram. said he still hopes to coach a
who told female match of- of the West German soccer website. female team.
ficials that “women don’t association (WDFV) when DFB president Fritz Keller
belong on a football pitch” his case was being heard fol- Vogel was banned for two held a video conference with “It’s something that I would
has said he offered to train lowing his sexist comments games and fined 1,500 euros Popp and Germany goal- very much like to do, as it is
a women’s soccer team by to officials Vanessa Arlt and ($1,800) by the court, with keeper Almuth Schult on very important to me that I
way of apology for his sex- Nadine Westerhoff at a game Gladbach imposing an addi- Monday. am able to apologize to all the
ist remarks. involving his team on Jan. 30. tional club fine. female players. Among foot-
“It was a worthwhile and ballers, I know that the best
“It was never my intention “I regret my behavior very “During the WDFV hearing, open exchange about the way of doing that is to work
to propose this as a part of much. Following my send- Heiko Vogel offered to lead stones that are placed in the together out on the pitch,”
any form of punishment," ing off, I had an emotional several training sessions for way of our female soccer Vogel said. “But this will only
Borussia Mönchengladbach outburst in which I said that Borussia’s women’s teams players,” Keller said on Tues- go ahead if the players want
under-23 coach Heiko Vogel women don’t belong on a alongside his personal apolo- day. “They are still at times to take part.”
said late Tuesday. “I put it for- football pitch. It was stupid, gy. This was included in writ- hugely disadvantaged struc-
ward as a suggestion to show unsportsmanlike, and dis- ing as a condition in the final turally. It’s not acceptable.” Gladbach sporting director
that I wanted to apologize to criminatory. My statement is verdict,” the club said. Max Eberl last week criti-
the girls and women playing absolutely unjustifiable, and Keller also criticized the cized Vogel for his comments
football at Borussia.” I would like to make it clear The court’s verdict said Vogel court’s judgement and said to the officials.
that it does not reflect my was ordered to take charge the players had his full sup-
Vogel said he made the sug- personal attitude,” Vogel said of six training sessions of a port.

Jays' Yates faces year-ending elbow surgery; Springer ailing

(AP) — Toronto Blue Jays re- Star with San Diego in 2019, when “Part of the injury was making sure missed time because of a strained
liever Kirby Yates is expected to he posted a 1.19 ERA and led the that that was the priority,” Atkins said. right groin, has resumed throwing
have season-ending surgery on NL with 41 saves. He pitched in six and feels good, Atkins said, while
his right elbow, general manager games for the Padres last season and The lefty is expected to throw a bull- right-hander Thomas Hatch, who
Ross Atkins said Tuesday. had a 12.46 ERA before surgery to re- pen session in the next few days. left a spring outing last week because
move bone chips from his elbow. of a sore elbow, “is not going to be
The Blue Jays also reported two other Right-hander Nate Pearson, who has missing significant time.”
injuries: Outfielder George Springer Springer signed a $150 million, six-
will miss the next four or five days year deal in the offseason. The 2017
because of a strained oblique muscle World Series MVP with Houston, he
and left-hander Robbie Ray will skip was scratched from a game on March
at least one spring training start after 9 because of tightness in his abdomi-
slipping on a staircase and bruising nal muscles.
his elbow.
Springer had an MRI after experienc-
Yates was expected to be Toronto’s ing persistent tightness, but Atkins
closer after signing a $5.5 million, said Toronto’s prime acquisition still
one-year deal in the offseason. On feels good and isn’t expected to be out
Monday, the team said Yates would of action for long.
miss several weeks because of a
strained muscle in his forearm. “The MRI revealed an injury that he
is able to play baseball with,” Atkins
Yates last pitched Saturday against said. “He is extremely motivated and
Philadelphia, striking out two in one driven to be ready for opening day.”
scoreless inning. It was his second
outing of the spring and his first since Atkins said Ray was carrying his child
March 11. down the stairs at his rental home
when he slipped and fell. Ray’s child
The 33-year-old Yates was an All- was uninjured in the fall, Atkins said.