AS Monaco forward Paris Brunner has apologised for mimicking a throat-slitting gesture toward Strasbourg supporters after scoring a stunning equaliser at La Meinau, Strasbourg's home stadium, during a 1-1 draw in the fourth round of the French Ligue 1 season.
Brunner struck a powerful shot into the top corner to level the score, only to turn his celebration toward the home end and make the gesture across his throat. The moment quickly overshadowed the quality of the goal itself.
Brunner addressed the incident in an Instagram story published after the match. He said it was important for him to make clear that he had not meant to disrespect anyone, and that he was sorry if the gesture had hurt some people. He said he had acted in the heat of the moment, that the gesture had been clumsy, and that he should not have made it.
Fans targeted his family, Brunner says
Earlier that evening, speaking in the mixed zone before the Instagram post, Brunner had given a different justification for his reaction, pointing to abuse from the stands. He said supporters had made comments about his family, his mother and his father, and that he had been able to see the people directing insults at him.
He said there had been a lot of emotion involved, particularly after scoring a shot like that, and that he had not intended to be disrespectful. He said he would not go as far as to say he regretted the gesture, but stressed that it was not the message he had wanted to send and that it had been misunderstood. According to Brunner, what he had actually meant to express was something closer to "what a goal, it's over."
AS Monaco are regular contenders in French football and European competition, while Racing Club de Strasbourg, based in the Alsace region in eastern France, play their home matches at La Meinau, a ground known for its vocal support.
Disciplinary commission could still act
It remains to be seen whether the disciplinary commission of the Ligue de Football Professionnel, French football's professional league body, will examine the incident, or whether, as Brunner suggested, the matter is already closed.
