Earthquakes allege use of racial epithet during Red Bulls draw

MLS is investigating an alleged use of a racial slur

San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse has alleged that a New York Red Bulls player used a racial epithet during a 1-1 draw between the clubs on Saturday night.

Per Ebobisse, the incident happened amid a scuffle following a clash between Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis and San Jose midfielder Judson. Referee Ismir Pekmic booked Nealis’ brother Sean for his reaction, and Judson for his challenge. Sometime in the moments that followed, Ebobisse says that a player he declined to name used a racial epithet.

“Late tackles on our end, or their end, that’s all part of the game. What we saw tonight should not be part of the game,” Ebobisse told reporters following the match. “What started with a foul that was deemed to be committed by Judson, and a yellow card. Fast forward a few minutes, seconds, it ended with a racial epithet being used.”

San Jose players could be seen reacting en masse in the moments after the issue seemed to be calming down, with their attentions centering on Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir. Replays showed Ebobisse vehemently arguing with Vanzeir before players from both clubs ended up in a shoving match.

The situation saw Pekmic bring both coaches over to explain the allegation, and eventually saw a VAR examination of video footage to see if officials could conclusively determine what had been said, and whether it merited a red card.

That stoppage lasted 19 minutes, but apparently ended inconclusively.

Ebobisse, who is Black, said that he wanted to respect the investigation, and that “what’s important for me to share is that I know what I heard.”

The Earthquakes forward added that San Jose coach Luchi Gonzalez told his team he’d back them if they wanted to walk off the field, but said the team ultimately chose to play on.

“The reason why I felt, after a lengthy conversation, that we should continue on with the game is because that the player who said the word claimed that it was not aimed at any of us,” said Ebobisse. “Whether that is a good-faith comment or not, we’ll see how the investigation goes on.”

“Just a difficult moment. Once again, players being put in charge, forced to make a decision, manage all sorts of emotions because the system is not robust enough to capture moments and gain clarity within a matter of minutes, seconds, that these actions happen,” added Ebobisse.

“This is what it is to be Black in these situations. You can’t be wrong, you can’t overstep anything outside of what you know to be fact. So, you have to proceed with absolute caution, even in moments of hurt, where you are feeling rather powerless to handle the situation to the degree that you would like to.”

Shortly after the match, MLS confirmed that the incident will be investigated.

“Major League Soccer is aware of an incident wherein a New York Red Bulls player is alleged to have used language that violates league policy during the 54th minute of the New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes match tonight,” read the statement. “MLS has zero tolerance for abusive and offensive language and takes these allegations seriously. An investigation into this matter will begin promptly. Further information will be provided upon completion of that investigation.”

The Red Bulls issued a statement of their own pledging to cooperate with the investigation.

“The New York Red Bulls take these matters very seriously and promptly reported the allegations to Major League Soccer,” read the team statement. “The New York Red Bulls do not condone any form of harassment or discrimination.”

Gonzalez confirmed to reporters that he told Red Bulls head coach Gerhard Struber that he should, in the meantime, substitute the player in question. “I was adamant to suggest that the player should not be on the field anymore,” said Gonzalez.

That would follow a precedent set during the last incident involving an alleged use of a slur in a game. In 2022, Inter Miami players alleged that D.C. United forward Taxi Fountas had used an epithet, and though referee Ismail Elfath did not have evidence to eject any player in that situation, Miami insisted that Fountas should be removed from the match at the first opportunity. United head coach Wayne Rooney agreed, and substituted Fountas at the next stoppage.

In this case, Struber did not apparently agree with Gonzalez, as Vanzeir stayed in the match until the 86th minute.

“I trust my players. If they say something, they’re high-character human beings before [being] professional soccer players, so I would trust that it’s true,” said Gonzalez. “So that’s something I think the referees and the coaching staff in New York, whether true or not, I think could could act in terms of the player not being a part of the game anymore.”

[lawrence-related id=9085,7452,15783]