Holger Osieck, the manager for the Australian national soccer team, apologized on Wednesday for saying “women should shut up in public.” The comment caused a furor among the public.

“That was not the intent. To everyone offended, I sincerely apologize,” he was quoted as saying,

He told the media the remarks were not against any woman, and that the perception that they were sexist was a “complete misunderstanding.”

According to media reports, Osieck made the comment prior to the press conference that took place after Australia beat Jordan 4-0 in Melbourne on Tuesday, a win that brought the team a step closer to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

The German-born coach lightheartedly told an official an old proverb, which he translated as “women should shut up in public.”

It is unclear which saying Osieck was referring to, but Goal.com said that it may have been a verse from the bible. First Corinthians 14:34 says “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says,” according to the 2011 New International Version of the Bible.

The Football Federation Australia has yet to respond to the incident as of Wednesday afternoon.

Australia, currently in second place behind Japan in Group B of the Asian qualifiers, needs one more victory to assure its berth to the World Cup finals.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)