Jens Lehmann is embroiled in a racism storm in Germany after appearing to accidentally text Sky Sport pundit Dennis Aogo asking if he was the company's 'token black guy'.
Germany and Arsenal legend Lehmann, who himself is now a television pundit, has been sacked from his role on Hertha Berlin's board after Aogo posted a screenshot of the text to Instagram.
In what appears to be a message mistakenly sent to Aogo, Lehmann - translated literally - says: 'Is Dennis actually your "black" one?', following it with a laughing emoji.
Aogo posted a screenshot to his Instagram story shortly after, alongside the caption: 'WOW... The message was probably not meant for me!!!'
Lehmann sent his WhatsApp shortly after coming off-air himself, having provided punditry for Manchester City's Champions League win over PSG for German television.
He is now set to face plenty of backlash as fans urge various companies to cut ties with the 51-year-old, and Hertha Berlin have become the first to distance themselves from the ex-goalkeeper.
'The consultant contract with Mr. Lehmann will be terminated. This eliminates the posting to Hertha's supervisory board, ' said spokesman Andreas Fritzenkötter from Tennor Holding to Sky, while a statement added: 'Hertha BSC distances itself from racism.'
Lehmann has since come out to issue both a public and private apology to Aogo, posting to his Twitter account: 'In a private message from my cell phone to Dennis Aogo, an impression was created for which I apologized in conversation with Dennis.
'As a former national player he is very knowledgeable and has a great presence and brings odds at Sky.'