Champions League broadcaster SACKS pundit for 'traffic light' comment about Barcelona star Lamine Yamal

Champions League broadcaster SACKS pundit for 'traffic light' comment about Barcelona star Lamine Yamal

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 11/04/2024

- 17:12

Updated: 11/04/2024

- 17:12

Former Argentina star German Burgos has issued an apology for any offence made by his remark.

Spanish TV station Movistar Plus+ have sacked German Burgos from their pundtry team following 'inappropriate comments' he made about Barcelona teen Lamine Yamal.

The former Argentina goalkeeper, who retired from playing in 2004, featured on a programme ahead of Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final first-leg against Paris Saint-Germain.


While the cameras focused on Yamal juggling the ball during a warm-up, Burgos is reported to have said: "If things don't go well for him, he'll end up at a traffic light."

The comment was interpreted as a reference to people who juggle for money at traffic lights, which has been on the rise in Europe.

Barcelona boycotted Movistar Plus on Wednesday

Barcelona boycotted Movistar Plus on Wednesday

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Both Barcelona and PSG refused to speak to Movistar Plus after the game.

Burgos later issued an apology with a statement on Thursday morning explaining he didn't mean any harm by the remark.

The statement read: "I issue this statement reiterating my apologies for my words on yesterday's program.

"It was not my intention to harm Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona people, the players, UEFA, or the Movistar Plus+ platform where I work.

"In making my comment, I chose to make a joke about quality and praise virtues, in no case was it about any ethnicity or social class.

"After spending so many years in football, I am moved to see young academy players.

"I especially admire the number of new talents that Barcelona is producing because I believe that quality ultimately always triumphs.

"I am a pro-youth coach and in all the teams I have been in, I have made sure to bring young players to train with the first team.

Lamine Yamal is the youngest player to feature in the Champions League quarter-finals

Lamine Yamal is the youngest player to feature in the Champions League quarter-finals

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"I apologise to anyone who has been offended by my comment. My intention was not to denigrate Lamine Yamal, quite the opposite.

"Football unites everything and everyone, that's why it's the best sport because it doesn't discriminate based on sex, race, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. That's what I believe in! See you in football!"

But Burgos has now been dismissed by Movistar Plus, who confirmed they would “immediately cease their collaboration agreement” with the former Atletico Madrid coach.

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Lamine Yamal has also represented his country

Lamine Yamal has also represented his country

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They added: "Movistar Plus+ condemns any kind of discrimination and will not allow this type of comment from any of the employees or collaborators linked to the platform.

Yamal became the youngest player to appear in a Champions League quarter-final in Barcelona's game against PSG on Thursday.

At just 16 years of age, Yamal has already established himself as a key member of Barcelona's squad this season.

He's also in contention to be in Spain's squad for this summer's European Championships in Germany.

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