The North American Football League (MLS) announced on Monday that it would investigate an alleged racial slur following the match between DC United, coached by Wayne Rooney, and Inter Miami, coached by Phil Neville.
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A clash as often happens on football fields, words exchanged as too often on sports fields, and a decision taken quickly. During the North American Football League (MLS) championship game, Wayen Rooney, the coach of DC United, voluntarily released one of his players, guilty of having uttered racist insults against his opponent from Inter Miami, Monday, September 19. The interested party denies the facts.
“MLS has zero tolerance for any abusive and offensive language and we take these allegations very seriously.”a spokesperson for the North American Soccer League (MLS) told ESPN. “An investigation into this matter will begin shortly. Further information will be provided upon completion.”
The alleged incident occurred in the 59th minute of this meeting won by Miami (3-2). A clash during which the Greek Taxiarchis Fountas would have dealt with “Negro” Jamaican Damion Lowe, causing the match to be interrupted by the referee, who, after warning the two players, spoke with their coaches Wayne Rooney and Phil Neville, former Manchester United teammates.
The former England striker then announced that he would release Fountas to replace him. “It was an unacceptable racist remark. The word is unacceptable, it’s the worst word in the world. There is no place for racism on a football pitch. I must commend my players for keeping their calm I have to commend the referee for handling a really tough situation and I have to give credit to Wayne Rooney for handling things the way he did.”reacted Neville after the meeting. “I have always known him as someone who acts with class. He has risen in my esteem again, more than for any goal he has ever scored”.
The person concerned did not want to linger: “There was a complaint, I’m sure it will be looked into.” Taxiarchis Fountas categorically denied having uttered this insult. “I did not use the word of which I am accused. I denounce this despicable racist insult, which I did not utter (…) I am really upset to be wrongly accused”, he wrote on Twitter. Responding to the press after the game, the referee claimed that neither he nor his aides heard the word uttered.