MLS to investigate D.C. United after allegations forward Taxi Fountas used a racial slur
Inter Miami’s 3-2 road win over D.C. United may have been dramatic, but it was completely overshadowed by allegations of racism during the match.
After the game, Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin and head coach Phil Neville told reporters that D.C. United forward Taxiarchis Fountas aimed a racial slur at Miami's Damion Lowe following a scuffle between the two players.
“Unfortunately, it makes a really nice moment for us kind of dark,” Yedlin said. “We continued the game and came out with a win, but the end of the day, like I said, it doesn’t even feel like like a win, just because of that incredibly dark moment.”
Neville added: “It was a racist comment that’s unacceptable. A word was used that I think is unacceptable in society ... I think it’s the worst word in the world.”
MLS confirmed to The Athletic and ESPN that an investigation is forthcoming: "MLS has zero tolerance for abusive and offensive language and we take these allegations very seriously. An investigation into this matter will begin promptly. Further information will be provided upon completion of that investigation."
According to Yedlin, Fountas used the slur while walking away from Lowe after a dispute, and within earshot of Miami’s Aimé Mabika. Both Lowe and Mabika are Black.
“Basically, Damion and their player got into a little bit of a scuffle. As Damion was walking away, their guy called him the N-word,” said Yedlin. “(Mabika) reacted, and M.A. is one of the nicest guys so, when you see him react in the way that he did, you know it’s probably something pretty serious. It’s something that hit him pretty hard. And as soon as I heard what he said, I got pretty emotional as well.”
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Yedlin and Neville both said Miami’s players were prepared to walk off and abandon the match if Fountas was allowed to continue playing.
“[I] spoke with Phil a little bit, and we made the decision that we’re not going to continue until something was done with that player, and if nothing was done, then we weren’t going to continue,” Yedlin said. “I think Phil spoke with the opposing coach, [and] they decided to take the player off.”
The incident happened in the 61st minute, and initially Fountas and Lowe were booked. A lengthy stoppage followed, with referee Ismail Elfath speaking to both Neville and United head coach Wayne Rooney on two separate occasions. Elfath also summoned the MLS match observer for a discussion.
United substituted Fountas almost immediately after play resumed. Rooney then pulled the Designated Player aside for a discussion as play continued.
“I would have given up the result to make a stand, and when it happened, it was a big moment,” said Neville. “[Rooney] asked me [what happened], I spoke to him. We spoke to the referee. Obviously there was players in our team that were very emotional, which you would be, and I never wanted to be one of those coaches that just ignored a real serious issue.
"And I’m proud of the players in the way that they grouped together, and proud of the way that we grouped together and made a stand. And I’m proud of the way that D.C. handled the situation as well.”
When asked to explain what had gone on from his perspective, Rooney said: “There was a complaint, which I’m sure will get investigated. So, not really much more I can say.”
Neville said he spoke to an unnamed member of United’s ownership group, and “they 100% agree that there’s no way in the world any form of racism should be happening.”
Yedlin said he will be paying close attention to how both MLS and D.C. United handle the incident.
“We’ll see what the MLS does about it," he said. "My eyes will be on that a lot, to see what kind of action they take, because it’s now up to them to take action and make a stand, and show that this not only has no place in in the game, but no place in society."
“Obviously you’d like to see a … multiple game suspension. It’ll be interesting to see what D.C. United does as a club.”