A women’s supporters group have issued a strong statement addressed to manager Danny Rohl amid speculation about the signing of Nico Schulz.
Schulz has recently been ordered to pay €150,000 to women’s charities after appearing in court concerning three counts of grievous bodily harm against a former partner.
The case was then dropped, and he was not convicted.
Sheffield Wednesday Women’s Supporters Group warned: “Welcoming anyone accused of violence against a woman normalises and legitimises this behaviour.
“It crushes past, present and future victims of such violence and forces them into silence. Our pain, experiences and safety are disregarded. It tells women that we don’t matter.”
The club have been linked with recruiting the 30-year-old defender after he was confirmed to be training with the club two weeks ago.
Schulz has been a free agent since he was released by Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund last year after he was charged with domestic abuse.
Sheffield Wednesday reporter, Joe Crann, admitted that a decision to bring him into the club could lead to a divide in the fanbase as the club looks to retain its Championship status.
He said: “I think that backlash is almost guaranteed, but I think on the flip side, you also have a lot of people backing the decision. And in response to the stories I’ve done on it, there’s very much a split opinion.
“I think with domestic abuse being as heinous as it is, it’s a very emotive topic. And I can completely understand why people would be upset with the possibility of Wednesday signing someone who has been accused of the sort of thing that Nico Schulz has been accused of.”
Sheffield Wednesday manager, Rohl, has been quick to avoid mention of the charges aimed at Schulz and has only referred to what he may bring to his side if signed.
The fan group’s letter was addressed to Rohl and was signed off by saying, “Please remember that football is about more than results. It is our community. Please think carefully about who you welcome into our club and into our city.”
Mr Crann discussed the probability of Sheffield Wednesday making the move for the 12-time German international.
He said: “I do think that there is a real chance of it happening and then we’ll just have to wait and see how things play out in the next couple of weeks.”
