(Steven Dykes / Stringer)
(SAN DIEGO) The San Diego Loyal SC forfeited a match it was winning 3-1 Wednesday by walking off the field after a player for the opposing team allegedly used a homophobic slur toward an openly gay player.
“In the first half a member of Phoenix Rising used a homophobic slur directed at Collin Martin,” the team tweeted Wednesday night. “In response we have decided to walk off the pitch in protest.”
Martin came out in 2018 and at the time he was said to be the only out gay man in any major professional sport in the U.S., according to NBC News.
“I have tremendous pride in this group, and I’m really proud of this organization and that I get to be a part of it,” San Diego Manager Landon Donovan said in a video posted to Twitter. “We made a vow to ourselves, to our community, to our players, to our club, to USL, that we would not stand for bigotry, homophobic slurs -- things that don’t belong in this game.”
Phoenix Rising FC acknowledged that “confusion occurred” before halftime after a San Diego player was issued a red card, and the incident is under investigation.
"Phoenix Rising is investigating the claim of a homophobic slur being used by one its players who has vehemently denied these allegations,” the Rising said on Twitter. “Phoenix Rising stands with the USL in rejecting and punishing any homophobic behavior."
The USL issued a statement regarding the incident saying it is aware of the alleged homophobic slur and condemned the behavior, but said it would conduct its own investigation.
The incident comes a week after San Diego walked off the field after a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy used a racial slur toward a Loyal player. The player was suspended by the USL and released from the Galaxy.
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