The league said that the allegation made by Inter Miami defender Aimé Mabika “was credible” but added that the “league investigation could not independently verify the allegation.”
Furthermore, the investigation “did not find credible Fountas’ claim, made during interviews conducted as part of this investigation, that he said nothing in that moment — discriminatory or otherwise.”
Fountas will not face any discipline and will be eligible to play for D.C. United in the 2023 season.
The investigation’s conclusion likely won’t satisfy many parties. Inter Miami vehemently claimed that Fountas used the N-word toward Mabika, while Fountas released a statement denying any wrongdoing.
The investigation’s failure to come to a more conclusive outcome was due to its inability to determine exactly what Fountas said.
“MLS was unable to confirm independently, through additional eyewitness accounts, video footage or audio recordings, what Fountas said in that moment,” a league statement said.
Fountas almost immediately became D.C. United’s best attacking player after his midseason arrival in 2022, scoring 12 goals in 21 games while being named a MLS All Star.
“I think it’s the worst word in the world,” said Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville
Inter Miami’s 3-2 road win over D.C. United may have been dramatic, but it was completely overshadowed by allegations of racism during the match.
Following the game, Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin and head coach Phil Neville both told reporters that, following a scuffle between their teammate Damion Lowe and United’s Taxiarchis Fountas, the D.C. forward aimed a racial slur at Lowe.
“Unfortunately, it makes a really nice moment for us kind of dark,” Yedlin told reporters after the match. “We continued the game and came out with a win, but the end of the day, like I said, it doesn’t even feel like like a win, just because of that incredibly dark moment.”
“It was a racist comment that’s unacceptable. A word was used that I think is unacceptable in society,” said Neville. “I think it’s the worst word in the world.”
According to Yedlin, Fountas used the slur while walking away from Lowe after a dispute, and within earshot of Miami’s Aimé Mabika. Both Lowe and Mabika are Black.
“Basically, Damion and their player got into a little bit of a scuffle. As Damion was walking away, their guy called him the N-word,” said Yedlin. “M.A. (Mabika) reacted, and M.A. is one of the nicest guys so, when you see him react in the way that he did, you know it’s probably something pretty serious. It’s something that hit him pretty hard. And as soon as I heard what he said, I got pretty emotional as well.”
Yedlin and Neville both said that Miami’s players were prepared to walk off and abandon the match if Fountas was allowed to carry on playing.
“[I] spoke with Phil a little bit, and we made the decision that we’re not going to continue until something was done with that player, and if nothing was done, then we weren’t going to continue,” explained Yedlin. “I think Phil spoke with the opposing coach, [and] they decided to take the player off.”
The incident happened in the 61st minute, and initially saw both Fountas and Lowe booked. A lengthy stoppage followed, with referee Ismail Elfath speaking to both Neville and United head coach Wayne Rooney on two separate occasions. Elfath also summoned the MLS match observer for a discussion, and Fountas was substituted by United almost immediately after play resumed. Rooney then pulled the Designated Player aside for a discussion as play continued.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
“I would have given up the result to make a stand, and when it happened, it was a big moment,” said Neville. “[Rooney] asked me [what happened], I spoke to him, we spoke to the referee. Obviously there was players in our team that were very emotional, which you would be, and I never wanted to be one of those coaches that just ignored a real serious issue. And I’m proud of the players in the way that they they grouped together, and proud of the way that we grouped together and made a stand. And I’m proud of the way that D.C. handled the situation as well.”
When asked to explain what had gone on from his perspective, Rooney said: “There was a complaint, which I’m sure will get investigated. So, not really much more I can say.”
Neville said that he had spoken to an unnamed member of United’s ownership group, and that “they 100% agree that there’s no way in the world any form of racism should be happening.”
MLS confirmed to The Athletic that an investigation would be forthcoming:
.@MLS offers me this statement on allegations that DC’s Taxi Fountas used a racial slur at an Inter Miami player tonight: pic.twitter.com/2JC3dSjV8R
Yedlin said that he will be paying close attention to how both MLS and D.C. United handle the incident.
“We’ll see what the MLS does about it. You know, my eyes will be on that a lot, to see what kind of action they take, because it’s now up to them to take action and make a stand, and show that this not only has no place in in the game, but no place in society,” said Yedlin.
“Obviously you’d like to see a … multiple game suspension. It’ll be interesting to see what D.C. United does as a club. Again, there’s just no place for it in society. It’s one of those things that it’s kind of it’s kind of hard to wrap your head around, that that sort of stuff is still said here in 2022.”
