Roger Steinman/Connected Press
The San Diego Staunch announced they forfeited Wednesday’s USL Championship match against the Phoenix Rising resulting from a Rising player allegedly musty an anti-contented slur toward midfielder Collin Martin, an openly contented member of the Staunch.
The USL Championship released a assertion after San Diego walked off the arena in philosophize throughout the most main half:
“We are responsive to the alleged use of a homophobic slur in tonight’s match between San Diego Staunch SC and Phoenix Rising FC. Incorrect and abusive language of any kind has absolutely no space in our society and would possibly honest no longer be tolerated in USL suits. An investigation is within the mean time underway to settle the details surrounding the incident and more knowledge shall be supplied as soon because it is on hand.”
Staunch manager and co-founder Landon Donovan, who made 157 appearances for the United States men’s nationwide personnel during his playing profession, commented on the decision to forfeit:
Junior Flemmings, a Phoenix midfielder, released an announcement on Twitter that denied allegations he musty an anti-contented slur toward Martin and said he helps the LGBTQ+ motion:
Martin, 25, beforehand played for D.C. United and Minnesota United in MLS.
An investigation after San Diego’s last match, a 1-1 arrangement with LA Galaxy II on Sept. 23, obvious Galaxy defender Omar Ontiveros said the N-be conscious to Staunch defender Elijah Martin, per ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle. Ontiveros got a six-recreation suspension for the racist remark and parted suggestions with the membership.
Wednesday’s match marked the cease of the Staunch’s frequent-season schedule. They accomplished three points within the support of the Galaxy II within the Neighborhood B standings and didn’t qualify for the playoffs.
It became once the membership’s first season of rivals after being founded in 2019.
