Major League Soccer has completed its investigation into D.C. United star Taxi Fountas allegedly using the N-word during a September game, and the results were inconclusive.
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.
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