A Dallas United player has denied using a racial slur in a match against West Ham at The Soccer Tournament.
A match between the two teams on the first day of the competition was suspended amid allegations of a player directing a racial slur at a West Ham player.
An investigation by tournament organizers concluded that Dallas United violated TST’s code of conduct. After speaking to representatives from both teams, the decision was taken for Dallas United to withdraw from the tournament.
The Dallas United player who was alleged to have used the slur was not named, but now David Ortiz has made a statement on Instagram confirming he is the player in question and denying the charges.
“Racism has never been condoned in my household and it goes without saying that I stand against racism in any shape or form,” Ortiz said on his Instagram story. “I did not use a racist slur towards anyone, and it pains me to have my legacy tarnished in this way.”
Ortiz, 22, came up through the FC Dallas academy before playing professionally in Spain and Colombia. Most recently he’s played in the MASL indoor league and with the U.S. futsal national team.
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