D.C. United releases Fountas amid second racism accusation

The 27-year-old forward has been accused of using a racial slur twice in less than a year

D.C. United has announced that the club and Taxi Fountas have mutually agreed to terminate the forward’s contract.

Fountas has been on administrative leave since July 21, after his now-former teammate Nigel Robertha accused him of using a racial slur against him.

A statement from D.C. United read:

D.C. United and forward Taxi Fountas have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, effective immediately. Fountas was placed on administrative leave by MLS on July 21 following what the league determined were credible allegations that he used prohibited and discriminatory language against another player.

There is no place for racism, homophobia, misogyny, or discrimination of any kind in our sport and world and D.C. United do not tolerate any acts of this nature.

In a statement of its own, MLS said: “Major League Soccer and its clubs are committed to eradicating racism from the game.”

For D.C. United and Fountas, there was no path forward after Robertha’s accusations, which were the second time in less than a year that the Greece international was accused of using a racial slur.

Last fall, a MLS investigation ended inconclusively after Fountas was alleged to have directed a slur at Inter Miami defender Aimé Mabika.

In the aftermath of Robertha’s accusations, several D.C. United supporters groups had called for the club to part ways with Fountas.

Fountas has been D.C. United’s best attacking player since joining as a Designated Player midway through the 2022 season. In 38 career MLS games, Fountas has scored 18 goals and added four assists.

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