The German goalkeeper of FC Luzern, Marius Müller, has to pay a fine because of a homophobic statement.

The German goalkeeper of FC Luzern, Marius Müller, has to pay a fine because of a homophobic statement. The fine amounts to 2,000 Swiss francs (just over 2,000 euros), as the Swiss Football League (SFL) announced on Tuesday. In addition, Müller received a reprimand, called a “Verweis” in Switzerland. This has no immediate consequences. The regulations merely state that such a reprimand remains on record and could be taken into account to increase the penalty in the event of a further misconduct.

On 13 August, the 29-year-old Müller had been annoyed by his club’s defeat against FC St. Gallen in Switzerland’s highest division and had spoken disparagingly about his team’s defenders in a television interview. They had turned away instead of going for the ball, Müller said, using the word “gay” derogatorily. The club and Müller himself subsequently apologised.

Müller had made the statement thoughtlessly and without any specific intention of vituperation, the disciplinary judge in match operations held. His statement was not directed against a referee or a specific player or spectator.