Racism rocked the MLS as San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse said he heard a racist remark from a New York Red Bulls player during Saturday’s game, resulting in 21 minutes of stoppage time
San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse said he heard a racist remark from a New York Red Bulls player at their Major League Soccer game and his team nearly walked off the field.
In a post-game press conference, Ebobisse said with remarkable aplomb that he and his team decided to continue the game because the Red Bulls player, whom Ebobisse or coach Luchi Gonzalez named directly, said the remark was neither addressed to him nor to him addressed to someone else .
The incident resulted in 21 minutes of added time in the game, which ended 1-1 – the Red Bulls equalized in the 107th minute. MLS promptly announced in a statement that the incident, which occurred in the 54th minute of the game, is being investigated.
“The racist remark was said – I don’t think it was about me, I can feel quite comfortable saying it, but the word was used,” Ebobisse said after the game. “From there, anyone can draw conclusions as to what was at stake, which is what the investigation can lead to.
“It is important that we dig up all the facts. I want to be as open as possible here. There is a lot of uncertainty here, I want to respect what will hopefully be a robust investigation. A difficult situation. I’m grateful to be with my teammates.
San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse said he heard a racist remark from a New York Red Bulls player in Saturday’s Major League Soccer game
“What’s important for me to share is that I know what I heard and the reason I felt like we should move on with the game after a long conversation is because the player that said the word, claimed it wasn’t directed at any of us.
“Whether or not this is a good faith comment we will see as the investigation progresses. But a difficult moment where players have taken command and have to deal with all sorts of emotions because the system is not robust enough.
“I think what’s important is that the team was united. And that goes from top to bottom, from coaches to players.
When asked if the players were ready to leave the field, he added: “Everything was on the table, it was a particularly emotional moment.
“When you’re on the field, you don’t have the same mechanisms to deal with that type of behavior. I think the referees went through the process of talking to captains and coaches. I must take what I am told at face value and proceed with that knowledge, unless I am positively certain that I can determine the direction that the Word is pointing.
“You have to exercise absolute caution, even in moments of hurt when you’re feeling pretty powerless to handle the emotions to the extent that you want to.”
Coach Gonzalez said afterwards that he had asked Red Bulls coach Gerhard Struber to replace the player in question.
He added: “When I listen to my players what has been said or not said, there are things that are not acceptable. It takes precedence over the game we are playing. I hope the league takes this seriously, to the utmost, and there are consequences.
“We as a club, me as a head coach, the staff will support the players and we count on the league and the refereeing crew to investigate and get to the bottom of the truth.”
The Red Bulls said in a statement on Saturday night: “During Saturday’s game it was brought to our attention that one of our players allegedly used a racial slur.
“The New York Red Bulls take this matter very seriously and have immediately reported the allegations to Major League Soccer. We will cooperate with the League investigation.
“The New York Red Bulls will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.”
MLS said in its own statement: “Major League Soccer is aware of an incident in which a New York Red Bulls player allegedly used language in the 54th minute of the New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes game that opposed violates league guidelines.
“MLS does not tolerate abusive and abusive language and takes these allegations seriously. An investigation into this matter will be launched immediately. Further information will be made available once this investigation is complete.’