UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE championship authorities have launched an investigation after the San Diego Loyal walked off the field in protest during a game on Wednesday alleging that a player had been subjected to homophobic abuse.
San Diego, coached by former US international star Landon Donovan, abandoned the game against Phoenix Rising in California after claiming that openly gay midfielder Collin Martin was targeted with an anti-gay slur.
The USL Championship, a professional league ranked below Major League Soccer, said in a statement it was investigating the incident.
“We are aware of the alleged use of a homophobic slur in tonight’s match between San Diego Loyal SC and Phoenix Rising FC,” the league said.
“Foul and abusive language of any type has absolutely no place in our society and will not be tolerated in USL matches. An investigation is currently underway to determine the facts surrounding the incident and more information will be provided as soon as it is available.”
The incident comes just a week after San Diego forfeited a game after one of their players was racially abused by a Los Angeles Galaxy II opponent.
The San Diego Loyal walked off the field in protest Wednesday night, saying a Phoenix Rising player used an anti-gay slur directed at openly-gay midfielder Collin Martin.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 1, 2020
Manager Landon Donovan discussed the incident with the referee and Phoenix head coach Rick Schantz. pic.twitter.com/WlOYauQhgV
Jamie Cudmore up against O’Connell yet again. This one could get spicy.
Culmore isn’t fit to lace O Connells boots.
Cudmore is a thug and O’Connell is a legend of the game. No competition.
I agree Cudmore is a thug. But jesus he put in a shift today. Credit where credit is due and all that…
Cudmore and Lee smashed OConnell &Co backwards all night long.
Cmon the red army.
Best dressing room ever!!
I hope Munster don’t lose.they done enough whinging on here when they won against ulster the other week.imagine the cribs and crystal from them if they lose
Christmas can come early tonight…..Come on Munster!
Jesus Christ munster are brutal
A loss would end Munsters interest? That’s a tad presumptuous, a loss would be a major setback but they’d still have every chance to go through!
Come on Munster!!
Which Clermont will show up??should be a great contest..
Munsters game plan.
Do nothing for ages.
Get into the Clermont half
Drop the ball
Some first half performance from clermont, one of the best I’ve seen from an away side at thomond park.
Well done Clermont. Massive defense. Better team all round. Munster just not at the races today.
Munster tackling isn’t great.
Amazing from Clermont. Convincing winners. Completely deserved that. Their fans were amazing too. #16th man.
Munster need to pull out socks up rapidly. Keep it simple… simple.
Barnes… the rules apply to both teams hy the way
So many knock-on’s at crucial moments, most of them from Cronin.
Not good enough at this level.
Does wayne barnes be watching something entirely different to the rest of us?
thetruth, we’re not blaming the referee this time. He was 80% correct all evening. Munster just did not play the way we hoped they would.
#BringinJOE in for this team talk
Munster half backs are awful today.
They were behind a failing breakdown, so Murray was under enormous pressure all the time, so I wouldn’t blame him too much, but Keatley was pretty poor all round I thought.
Munster are just handing this game to Claremont
Clermont may have the points so far, but watching Munster, I can’t see them losing this. Come on the boys in red.
Wrong Peter.
All smart after the fact, eh, captain hindsight?
Munster made basic errors. Our kicking game was very poor. We butchered three separate mauls by dropping the ball and set piece was hit and miss. Injury meant there weren’t quality bench players to call upon and just beaten at our own game by a superior side.
keatley’s kicks tonight…??!
Media’s darling Conor
Murray’s kicks were even worse. Gerry Thornley won’t be able to do his usual love in if he’s reporting this game.
Clermont were up for this match tonight. Hugely intense & Munster couldn’t deal with it especially up front where Munster planned to dominate.
Some match as intense as a full test match.