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MLS has suspended Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner for three games following a racist incident during a playoff game against the New England Revolution on October 28.
In announcing the suspension Tuesday, MLS said Wagner violated the league’s “on-field anti-discrimination policy” when he directed a slur toward New England’s Bobby Wood.
Wagner, who is white, faced a lengthy suspension, but MLS said it considered several factors, including his admission of directing the slur in German at Wood, who is of black and Asian descent. Wood, a former U.S. national team striker who spent most of his career in the German leagues, is fluent in German.
Wagner will miss Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Wednesday and, should New England win the series at home, he would also sit out Sunday’s crucial third game in Chester, Pennsylvania. A Philadelphia win on Wednesday would prevent it from playing in the one game in the conference semifinals on November 25 or 26 and possibly the conference finals in early December.
If Union were eliminated in less than three games, the ban would be carried over to the next season. But Wagner’s contract expires this winter and he will likely return to Europe after five outstanding seasons with Philadelphia.
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The 26-year-old German, who scored five goals and 39 assists in 138 regular-season games, was named to two All-Star teams and was named to the 2022 All-League squad.
MLS said Wagner is committed to “continuing to attend league-mandated education and training sessions, a process that has already begun, and to fully comply with a program led by a league-appointed expert in restorative practices.” becomes.”
In April, MLS suspended New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir for six games for racially abusing San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse. In August, DC United parted ways with Taxi Fountas after the Greek striker was accused of a racist insult for the second time in less than a year. He denied the allegations.