Belgian side KAA Gent suspended striker Benito Ramen for chanting homophobic slurs after Gent defeated KV Kortrijk, 3-0, on Sunday. Ramen addressed the crowd with a microphone, and started a homophobic chant that was directed towards Gent's rivals Club Brugge and their supporters, according to David Manuca.
Gent released a statement on their website Monday, saying, "KAA GENT dissociates itself entirely from the inappropriate statements player Benito Raman made yesterday immediately after the game. Such statements are therefore completely contrary to the fundamental values of the club. KAA Gent wants to apologize, first and foremost with the gay community in general and to their own gay supporters in particular."
It continued: "KAA Gent would also like to apologize to the farming community who may feel targeted by these totally inappropriate remarks. Finally KAA Gent apologizes to the supporters of Club Brugge and we hope that this incident does not compromise the good relations between the clubs."
The statement, which has been translated from Dutch, went on to address a plan for Ramen. "The club has been supplying substantial effort to assist the player in question, not only in sports but also in psychological terms; it is therefore difficult to understand that he still frequently goes in the wrong. That is why the club has decided to suspend Benito Raman with immediate effect for an indefinite period. To assist in the further development of his career, he will also receive additional psychological counseling to prevent further incidents, which are a result of his youthful indiscretion," it said.
Ramen, 21, issued an apology on Twitter later on, according to ESPN. "I apologize to everyone I've hurt! @ClubBrugge My apologies!"
"After the game, I said things that happen only in football! Outside I have a lot of respect for all @ClubBrugge supp(orter)s!" Raman continued. "I also apologize to all people of other orientations! It was absolutely not my intention (to offend you)!"
An indefinite suspension means Ramen could be unavailable to Gent when the club takes on Wolfsburg in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Feb. 17.
