United States nationwide workforce defender John Tolkin mentioned he has regrets over his previous exercise on social media after becoming a member of Holstein Kiel in Germany.
Kiel mentioned Friday it was responding to controversy over posts Tolkin had “preferred” previously on social media regarding gender identification, the coronavirus pandemic and conspiracy theories.
“I remorse that issues I’ve completed previously in my social media actions could have damage, irritated or offended folks,” Tolkin mentioned in a press release issued by Kiel. “This was by no means my intention. I wish to take this chance to guarantee you 100% that I respect all folks, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identification.”
Tolkin added that he does not “harbor any homophobic or discriminatory ideas.”
Kiel mentioned it had spoken with Tolkin concerning the posts and that he had “credibly defined” that he didn’t intend to trigger offense.
“John stands behind the membership’s philosophy and this explicitly features a dedication to variety, tolerance and towards all types of discrimination and racism,” the membership mentioned. “We are subsequently firmly satisfied that with the signing of John, we are able to welcome a participant to Holstein Kiel who suits in with us as a membership, not solely from a sporting perspective, but in addition from a human perspective.”
The assertion got here a day after the 22-year-old defender signed for relegation-threatened Bundesliga club Kiel in a switch from the New York Red Bulls. He has performed 4 video games for the U.S. nationwide workforce since 2023 and is taken into account a depth choice at left again because the U.S. prepares for the World Cup subsequent yr.
Tolkin began all 4 U.S. matches ultimately yr’s Paris Olympics, a match principally restricted to under-23 gamers.
During his time with the Olympic workforce in July, Tolkin apologized in a CBS interview “to anyone who I did offend” with regard to his social media exercise. “I perceive the platform I’ve and liking these posts on Twitter might be not the most effective factor to do,” he mentioned on the time.
In associated information, Minnesota United will host Holstein Kiel for a global pleasant at Allianz Field on July 7 as a part of their preseason coaching within the United States.
