Incident on the Pitch Sparks New Debate
Tensions escalated during Lugano s friendly against Viktoria Plzen when Kevin Behrens reacted angrily after teammate Giorgos Koutsias halted during a play. Reports from Switzerland indicated that Behrens first directed harsh language at Koutsias before pursuing and shoving him.
Attention returned to Behrens for the 2nd time in a matter of months as the altercation drew widespread scrutiny.
Background of Past Controversies
Scrutiny has followed Behrens before, particularly during his spell at Wolfsburg where he faced disciplinary action for homophobic remarks. Coverage in Germany intensified after he refused to sign a rainbow themed LGBT shirt intended for a charity auction.
Accounts from that period described Behrens rejecting the request with an offensive slur, a comment that prompted significant backlash and intervention from the club.
A formal apology later acknowledged the inappropriateness of his words, with Behrens telling German media that his spontaneous comments were unacceptable.
Public Reaction and Career Impact
Supporters of St Pauli voiced their disapproval during a match against Wolfsburg by raising a banner reading More love fewer Kevin Behrens.
Repercussions continued at the end of the season when Wolfsburg declined to renew his contract, a decision that eventually led him to sign with Lugano.
Professional Journey
Born in Bremen, Behrens has represented several German clubs including Werder Bremen, Hannover, Alemannia Aachen, Rot Weiss Essen, Sandhausen, Saarbrucken and Union Berlin. His international career consists of a single appearance for Germany in a 2023 friendly against Mexico.
