Javier Hernandez has broken his silence after being fined for making sexist comments.
The former Manchester United striker sparked fury by accusing women of ‘eradicating masculinity’ in an explosive Instagram rant on Friday last week.
Hernandez, affectionately dubbed ‘Chicarito,’ claimed women are making society ‘hypersensitive’ and that they should focus on ‘multiplying, cleaning, maintaining the home’.
He was fined and reprimanded by the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and his current side Chivas for his remarks.
And now Hernandez, 37, has apologised for his ‘any confusion or upset’ in the wake of his comments and the subsequent backlash.
‘I sincerely thank everyone who has supported me, who has respectfully shared their perspectives with me and demanded that I be a better person,’ he wrote on Instagram.
Javier Hernandez has apologised for ‘any confusion or upset’ after his sexist comments
The former Manchester United star had accused women of ‘eradicating masculinity’
He was fined after saying women should focus on ‘multiplying, cleaning, maintaining the home’
‘I am deeply sorry for any confusion or upset my recent words have caused; It was never my intention to limit, hurt or divide.
‘As a father, man and member of this community, my priority is to act with respect, humility and responsibility.
‘I am listening, reflecting, and committed to expressing myself with greater clarity and sensitivity, especially on such sensitive topics.
‘I believe that change begins with oneself. I will take advantage of this opportunity to understand, grow and continue working to be a better version of myself, from honesty, love for my family, my values and love for all of you. Thank you for your understanding, demand, love and company on this path.’
Hernandez was blasted by fans on social media as well as public figures for his outburst.
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mexico’s first female president, said: ‘Chicharito is a very good [footballer] but when it comes to his opinion on women… he still has a lot to learn.’
In a joint statement between the FMF and Mexico’s top men’s and women’s leagues, they said the country’s gender and diversity commission had opened an investigation into Hernandez’s comments ‘to prevent and punish this behaviour’.
Chivas said the comments were ‘contrary to the principles and values’ of the club and that they had taken ‘appropriate action’ against Hernandez, though they did not specify which action.
He said he was ‘listening and reflecting’ after a strong backlash – and vowed to ‘continue working to be a better version of myself’
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mexico’s first female president, condemned his remarks
He has been fined and reprimanded by the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and his club
The man who was nicknamed Chicharito – meaning ‘little pea’ – by Manchester United fans said women are making society ‘hypersensitive’
He caused outrage across Mexico and around the globe after his bizarre tirade last week
Hernandez spent five years at Old Trafford, winning two Premier League titles before leaving in 2015.
The Mexican is his country’s all-time record goalscorer, with 52 strikes in 109 appearances, and also played for Real Madrid as well as spending two years with both West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen.
He has now been subjected to a stream of criticism over the comments he made, which saw him state: ‘Women, you are failing. You are eradicating masculinity by making society hypersensitive.
‘Embrace your feminine energy: nurturing, caring, receiving, multiplying, cleaning, maintaining the home, which is the most precious place for us men.
‘Do not be afraid to be women, to allow yourselves to be led by a man who only wants to see you happy, because we do not know heaven without you. Holding yourselves responsible for your energy is also a way of loving you.’
He added: ‘Men, we are failing in the lack of commitment, putting our partners last, not keeping our word, and not prioritising habits to become admirable.
‘I understand that we are afraid to speak and truly express what we feel because they are trying to eradicate masculinity, since in certain cases of the past, feminine energy was suppressed, but many of us are here wanting to love you, take care of you, respect you, and provide for you.
‘But you women must learn to honour masculinity,’ he concluded.
Hernandez’s latest rant follows another controversial Instagram post from just a day earlier.
On Thursday, in another video, he said: ‘So, you want a man who provides, but for you, cleaning is patriarchal oppression? Interesting.’
