In the encounter between Inter Miami and D.C. United on Sunday, it is alleged that DCU striker Taxi Fountas used the N-word to refer to Inter Miami defender Damian Lowe. Major League Soccer has said that it will investigate the allegation.
An Major League Soccer official told ESPN that the league “has zero tolerance for abusive and disrespectful behavior and we take these complaints very seriously.” “We will look into this situation as soon as possible. After the inquiry is finished, more details will be given.”
Additionally, a D.C. United representative released the following statement: “The claims against a player during the match versus Inter Miami CF are known to D.C. United. To examine the event, the club will collaborate closely with Major League Soccer and Inter Miami.”
The alleged assault allegedly took place during a 3-2 Miami win, during the 59th minute. It came after an altercation between Lowe and Fountas. Aime Mabika, a Miami defender, then responded furiously against Fountas. Following the incident, referee Ismail Elfath warned both Fountas and Lowe and then spoke with the managers of the two sides, Inter Miami’s Phil Neville and D.C. United’s Wayne Rooney.
Elfath responded to a post-game query from a pool reporter by claiming that neither he nor any other official heard a racist epithet being spoken. Play resumed after a wait of several minutes, but Fountas was replaced in the 66th.
Rooney remarked, “There was a complaint, and I have no doubt that it will be looked at. I don’t have much else to say.”
Neville was left to explain the nature of the conflict.
DeAndre Yedlin, a defender for Miami, subsequently said during a post-game videoconference that the players told Neville they wouldn’t play any further unless something was done about Fountas. Rooney quickly decided to replace Fountas.
