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Belgian club Gent have suspended one of their players indefinitely after he aimed homophobic remarks at supporters of a rival club. Following Sunday's 3-0 win over KV Kortrijk, striker Benito Raman was one of several players to address the crowd through a microphone. The 21-year-old sparked controversy by chanting a homophobic insult aimed at rivals Club Brugge. A statement on Gent's website on Monday read: "KAA Gent dissociates itself entirely from the inappropriate statements of the player Benito Raman yesterday immediately after the game. Such statements are completely contrary to the fundamental values of the club. "KAA Gent wants to apologise, first and foremost to the gay community in general and to their own gay supporters in particular. "KAA Gent also apologises to the farming community, who may feel targeted by these totally inappropriate remarks. "Finally, KAA Gent also apologises to the supporters of Club Brugge and we hope that this incident does not compromise the good relations between the clubs." Raman apologised after the game for his actions, writing on his Twitter account: "I apologise to everyone I've hurt! @ClubBrugge My apologies! "After the game, I said things that happen only in football! Outside I have a lot of respect for all @ClubBrugge supp(orter)s! "I also apologise to all people of other orientations! It was absolutely not my intention (to offend you)!" It was not enough to save him from strict action from his club, who have reached the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Wolfsburg. Gent's statement continued: "The club has been supplying substantial effort to assist the player in question, not only in sporting but also psychological terms; it is therefore difficult to understand that he still frequently makes these mistakes. "That is why the club has decided to suspend Benito Raman with immediate effect for an indefinite period. "To assist in the further development of his career, Benito will also receive additional psychological counselling to prevent further incidents, which are a result of his youthful rashness. "There will also be an internal conversation with the whole squad, which is aware of the reputational damage which KAA Gent has suffered." That could lead to further sanctions for Raman as the statement concluded: "The squad, through captain Sven Kums, suggested an additional punishment in consultation with a gay rights organisation."
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