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The wife of Socceroos star Jackson Irvine has exposed an online troll who publicly criticised her husband - but in a shocking twist, the perpetrator was a board member from FC St. Pauli, where the decorated midfielder plays his club football in Germany.
In damage control, the Bundesliga club - where Irvine is the club captain - have called for calm following the explosive comments from Rene Born on Instagram.
Irvine's wife Jemilla Pir called out Born after he declared 'nobody is bigger than the club' in a direct comment on a post featuring the couple.
Born wasn't finished yet, later posting: 'This is our club, not yours. You'll be gone in a few months playing somewhere else for 1 euro more.
'We'll always be here when you're nothing more than a footnote.'
Astonishingly, Born didn't use a burner account, with his savage comments linked to his FC St. Pauli club handle.
It is understood Born has since apologised to Irvine, who is currently sidelined after foot surgery.
Earlier this week, Pir explained to her followers just how much her husband had been disrespected.
The wife of Socceroos star Jackson Irvine has exposed an online troll who publicly criticised the midfielder on Instagram
In a shocking twist, the perpetrator was a board member from FC St. Pauli, where Irvine plays his club football in Germany (pictured, Rene Born)
Irvine's wife was stunned to see Born posting savage comments (pictured) publicly about FC St. Pauli's club captain and fan favourite
Irvine is closing in on a return to the Bundesliga with FC St. Pauli following foot surgery in April
'OK, this one is wild,' Pir said on Instagram.
'Wild to use your own account with your name and your employer and your username,' while showing a picture of Born.
'I've never bullied anyone online, but I'm pretty sure trolling 101 is get a burner account unless you're trying to intimidate me from your position of power.
'Just wanted to share this because bullies need calling out, especially ones like Born who are in a position of power and feel like they can publicly intimidate you and make you feel like they can force you out of your home...for one euro more.'
In a statement, FC St. Pauli confirmed they internally addressed the bullying from Born, before pointing out 'mud-slinging helps no one.'
'After the comments became known, the FC St. Pauli club management held internal discussions (on the matter).
'We urge everyone to behave in a respectful and constructive manner in the interests of FC St. Pauli as a whole.
'Mud-slinging on social media helps no one - it hurts everyone.'
FC St Pauli. currently sit in ninth spot on the Bundesliga ladder after five games, with Irvine closing in on a return following surgery in April.
