An MLS match between FC Cincinnati and New York City FC was suspended on Wednesday due to discriminatory language from the Red Bull Arena crowd, prompting a warning from the public address system.
After the match, a 3-2 NYCFC victory, Cincinnati issued a statement denouncing the “offensive language directed by fans towards one of our players” and thanking management for acting quickly. The full statement:
“During tonight’s match against New York City FC, the referee stopped the match due to offensive language directed by fans towards one of our players. The club strongly condemns this language and behavior by NYCFC fans, and will always support and will support our players.
“The club commends the actions of the players and officials on the field for taking swift action. Abuse has absolutely no place on or off the field, in our league or in our communities.”
Carter Chapley, Cincinnati editorspeculated that the player and language in question was an anti-gay chant directed at Cincinnati star Luciano Acosta, the reigning MLS MVP and three-time All-Star.
MLS later issued its own statement. confirmed that the incident involved an anti-gay slur directed at a player, but described the source as just a bystander. The league said it was working with club and stadium staff to identify the people involved in the incident:
“Major League Soccer is aware of an incident at tonight’s match between New York City FC and FC Cincinnati in which a spectator directed a homophobic slur toward a player. MLS unequivocally condemns hate speech of any kind and will not tolerate abusive, derogatory or threatening comments directed at players, clubs or anyone associated with the league, is working closely with clubs and stadium staff to identify those involved. Hate and intolerance have no place in our. sport, in our communities nor in society as a whole.
The insults are unprecedented in MLS, or in the world of soccer in general, with incidents involving players, coaches and, supposedly in this case, fans.