St Pauli have been forced to hold internal discussions with a board member after critical remarks about Socceroos star Jackson Irvine emerged online.
Irvine is currently racing the clock to get back on the field in the Bundesliga to better his chances of World Cup selection as he continues to rehabilitate a foot injury.
But his time on the sidelines has not come without controversy as he continues to be at the front of unwanted headlines due to trolls and recovery updates.
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The 32-year-old’s wife, Jemilla Pir, took to Instagram on Wednesday to expose two alleged comments that were made by St Pauli supervisory board member Rene Born.
The first comment read: “Nobody is bigger than the club.”
Jackson Irvine of Australia. Getty
Just two days later, additional comments were posted.
“This is our club, not yours,” Born added.
“You’ll be gone in a few months playing somewhere else for one euro more. We’ll always be here when you’re nothing more than a footnote.”
Pir claims that the comments were made several days after she initially shared the post on September 10.
The comments have since been deleted.
“Ok, this one is wild,” Pir said in a reel posted to her account exposing the comments.
“‘Nobody is bigger than the club’ … obviously that wasn’t enough for him because two days later he’s thought about it and had more to say.
“Wild to use your own account with your name and your employer and your username.
“I’ve never bullied anyone online but I’m pretty sure trolling 101 is get a burner account, unless you’re trying to intimidate me from your position of power.
“Actually, I don’t know if you’re technically employed because the board members are voted for by the members of the club.
“Just wanted to share that because bullies need calling out especially ones like Rene Born who are in a position of power and feel like they can publicly intimidate you and make you feel like they can force you out of your home.”
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German media have reported that the board member has apologised to the Australia gun following the comments made online.
St Pauli confirmed in a statement that they were made aware of the comments before Pir republished them in a reel on Wednesday (AEST).
The club then urged supporters to refrain from making comments of a similar nature.
“We urge everyone to behave in a respectful and constructive manner in the interests of FC St Pauli as a whole,” a statement from the club wrote.
“Mud-slinging on social media helps no one – it hurts everyone.”
Kye Rowles of the Socceroos celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Lebanon. Getty
Irvine will remain out of action for Australia until further notice, with his national team coach Tony Popovic still working to establish key formations as the team prepares to face Canada and the United States in the next international window.
Eight changes have been made to the youthful Socceroos squad that was fielded against New Zealand in September, with captain Mat Ryan a notable returning figure.
Ryan had been left out of the squad for an extended period as he worked to find his feet at Spanish club Levante.
Jason Geria, Daniel Arzani and Mitch Duke also return to the squad for the first time since they helped Australia gain direct qualification into the World Cup.
A game-changing goal against New Zealand on debut for Max Ballard saw the young star earn a recall into the national team camp for the upcoming international window.
Meanwhile, Noah Botic, Tom Glover, Anthony Kalik, Nicolas Milanovic, Adrian Segecic, Samuel Silvera, Ryan Teague were all dropped from the squad.
AUSTRALIAN SOCCEROOS: Daniel Arzani (Fenercvaros), Max Balard (NAC Breda), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Martin Boyle (Hibernian FC), Cameron Burgess (Swansea), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Milos Degenek (FK TSC), Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Mitch Duke (Machida Zelvia), Nicholas D’Agostino (Viking), Joe Gauci (Port Vale), Jason Geria (Ablirex Niigata), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Paul Izzo (Randers FC), Fran Karacic (Hajduk Split), Hayden Matthews (Portsmouth), Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli), Lewis Miller (Blackburn Rovers), Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC), Alex Robertson (Cardiff City), Kye Rowles (DC United), Mat Ryan (Levante UD), Mohamed Toure (Randers FC), Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC)