Hertha Berlin sack former Arsenal goalkeeper Lehmann for racist WhatsApp message

Jens Lehmann has been sacked by Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin after a racist WhatsApp message to ex-professional Dennis Aogo was made public.

Aogo, who won 12 Germany caps, has worked as a pundit for Sky Germany following his retirement from playing in the summer and posted a screenshot of the message sent to him by Lehmann prior to Tuesday night's Champions League semi-final between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

"The consultancy contract with Mr. Lehmann will be terminated. This means that the posting to Hertha's supervisory board is no longer applicable," Tennor Holding spokesman Andreas Fritzenkötter told Sky in Germany.

Lehmann had a consultancy contract with Tennor for sports and football issues and sat on the board of directors of the Bundesliga club for Hertha investor Lars Windhorst's company.

"Such statements in no way correspond to the values for which Hertha BSC stands and actively campaigns. Hertha BSC distances itself from any form of racism. We therefore welcome the step taken by Tennor Holding," Hertha President Werner Gegenbauer told Sky in Germany.

Lehmann stated in a post on Twitter that he had contacted Aogo and apologised for his message.