Movistar has ended its collaboration with Germán 'El Mono' Burgos. The analyst made a discriminatory comment about Lamine Yamal in the television channel's studio on Wednesday evening. Movistar has said in a statement that it sees no way back.

Burgos, who is best known as a former assistant to Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid, watched the images of a warming Yamal on Wednesday, who was preparing with FC Barcelona for the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Presenter Susana Guasch started positively about Yamal, who already headed towards the dressing room to prepare for the kick-off. “Look at that quality, look at Lamine Yamal's ball handling.” Burgos responded to Guasch's comment. “If he doesn't do it right, he could always end up under a traffic light.”

Burgos meant to say that if Yamal had not been a footballer, he would have been a beggar under a traffic light. In Spain it is common for beggars to pass stopped cars at traffic lights to beg for money. Burgos' comment immediately came under a magnifying glass in Spain, where a lot of attention is paid to combating racism.

?? El Mono Burgos pide perdón por su commentario sobre Lamine Yamal: “No fue sobre ninguna etnia ni classe social”. ???? Las palabras del comentarista provocaron que los clubs no concedieran entrevistas a Movistar tras el partido.@Inforadio_UCM pic.twitter.com/E74emlVHxw

— El Graderío en Inforadio UCM (@elgraderioucm) April 11, 2024

Burgos reconsidered his statement during the broadcast. “It was a comment without trying to hurt anyone. We were talking about football. If anyone feels offended, I apologize publicly. It was not my intention. In these times you have to adapt to everything when you try jokes to make,” the Argentinian added.

Burgos apologized again a day later via Instagram. “It was not my intention to harm Lamine Yamal, the people of FC Barcelona, ​​the players, UEFA or the Movistar Plus+ platform where I work. I chose to make a joke about his quality and beautiful game, in no way was it about any ethnicity or social class. I apologize to anyone who was offended by my comment. My intention was not to discredit Lamine Yamal, on the contrary.”

Statement Movistar

Thursday has Movistar released a statement making it clear that the collaboration with Burgos has ended. “In accordance with Movistar Plus+'s internal code of conduct, which maintains a policy of zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior, the platform has taken action following last night's broadcast in which one of its employees made inappropriate comments about Lamine Yamal.”

“Movistar Plus+ condemns any form of discrimination and will not allow these types of comments from employees or associates associated with the platform. Movistar Plus+ and Germán 'El Mono' Burgos will immediately stop collaborating on the platform's programs. The presenters will be informed of the room in which the comments may have taken place.”

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