Major League Soccer confirmed D.C. United forward Nigel Robertha has been reinstated after he was placed on paid administrative leave Friday along with teammate Taxi Fountas.
The league confirmed Fountas remains on leave after an incident in which he reportedly directed a racial slur at Robertha.
The Athletic first reported that Fountas was alleged to have used a racial slur towards Robertha, who is Black. The Washington Post confirmed that report and added that Robertha responded by hitting Fountas with a foam roller.
On Friday, D.C. United said in a statement that the club reported the incident to MLS, which opened an investigation into the matter.
“The players will be unavailable for team activities during the pendency of that review,” DCU said. “Placement on paid administrative leave is not a disciplinary measure.”
Fountas has now been accused of using a racial slur for the second time in less than a year. Last fall, a MLS investigation ended inconclusively after the Greece international was alleged to have directed a slur at Inter Miami defender Aimé Mabika.
On Monday, DCU supporters group Buzzard Point Social called for the “immediate dismissal” of Fountas from the team, as well as 19 minutes of silence to open Saturday’s Leagues Cup match against Pumas in support of Robertha, who wears the No. 19.
Two other supporters groups, 202 Unique and Rose Room Collective, have also called on D.C. United to cut ties with Fountas.
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