The long-standing model marriage between FC St. Pauli and Jackson Irvine has already come to an end since the captain posted questionable comments about the Middle East conflict in the summer. The 32-year-old has now spoken out again for the first time in his native Australia—once again without saying anything clear.
St. Pauli officials had already planned to issue a statement in the summer. During the training camp in Flachau, Austria, Irvine was given the opportunity to distance himself in a prepared interview with the media, particularly from the published photo in which he is wearing a jersey of the fictional FC Palestine. The jersey featured a map that did not include Israel. The fact that the Australian did not make a clear statement at the time, contrary to the briefing, but merely assumed the role of victim, was noted with irritation within the club. Until a post on Instagram by supervisory board member René Born two weeks ago, however, the issue had been simmering away, mainly on social media. Now the question is whether the blaze can still be extinguished. And above all: how?
“Everyone shares our outrage and disappointment”
Born may have made an unprecedented misstep in his role as a supervisory board member with his post (“No one is bigger than the club. This is our club, not yours”), but he clearly struck a chord with many St. Pauli fans with its content. Irvine’s public stance on the Middle East conflict has become a test of endurance for the club. In a TV interview with ABC News over the weekend, he once again avoided taking a clear position.
Irvine says Born’s post was “hard” for him and his wife Jemilla Pir. “We have been part of this community for over four years and have built many relationships in all corners of the city. Hearing something like that from a person in this position was, of course, deeply hurtful.” He reports receiving a lot of support in the interview: “What we are focusing on more is the high level of support from fans, from people in our community. We live in the heart of St. Pauli, we are part of this community. Everyone we have spoken to shares our disappointment and outrage and supports us. We feel love and support from the people around us and that is the most important thing.”
The captain, who is still recovering from foot surgery, avoids the source of the discussions surrounding him, saying he does not want to talk about the “official aspect.” “Most people who have followed my story over the past few months know why this happened. It’s about much deeper things, far removed from soccer.”
These are “things” that Irvine once again leaves hanging in the air in this interview. The result: instead of giving clear answers, even after his statements in his native Australia, question marks remain. The biggest one is about his future. It should be noted that the long-time fan favorite is not the type of soccer player who naively and recklessly fell into a trap. Instead, he has now missed the opportunity to distance himself from his posts in his second public appearance. “I hope the matter will be resolved,” he says. “It’s not something you want to deal with, especially when you’re coming back from an injury.” What he doesn’t say at this point is that these are “things” he himself has triggered.
