Current:Home > InvestD.C. United terminates Taxi Fountas' contract for using discriminatory language-LoTradeCoin
D.C. United terminates Taxi Fountas' contract for using discriminatory language
View Date:2024-12-24 07:43:20
Major League Soccer club D.C. United has parted ways with forward Taxi Fountas for violating team policy.
D.C. United and Fountas "mutually agreed" to terminate his contract, effective immediately, the team announced on Thursday, nearly three weeks after Fountas was placed on administrative leave for allegedly using "prohibited and discriminatory language" against another player. D.C. United launched an investigation and determined the allegations were "credible."
“There is no place for racism, homophobia, misogyny or discrimination of any kind in our sport and world and D.C. United do not tolerate any acts of this nature," the team said in a statement. MLS added, "Major League Soccer and its clubs are committed to eradicating racism from the game."
D.C. UNITED fires trainer for discriminatory gesture; two players placed on leave by team
Fountas, a native of Greece, signed with D.C. United in January 2022 and scored 18 goals in 38 appearances, but his short time on the MLS club was marred by multiple incidents involving alleged racial abuse.
On July 21, Fountas was placed on administrative leave, along with teammate Nigel Robertha. According to The Athletic, Fountas and Robertha, who is Black, got into a fight after Fountas directed a racial slur at him during a training session. Fountas, 27, hasn't played for the club since.
Last year, the league investigated an allegation that Fountas used racially abusive language toward Miami defender Aimé Mabika during a match. The league said it found the allegation credible but could not find corroborating evidence, and Fountas was not disciplined.
In a separate incident, head athletic trainer Reade Whitney was fired in July after the team said he made a discriminatory hand gesture in a photo that was posted on social media.
Contributing: The Associated Press
veryGood! (3163)
Related
- Diddy's ex-bodyguard sues rape accuser for defamation over claims of 2001 assault
- Despite a Big Budget Shortfall, Moore Commits $90 Million to Help Maryland Cut Emissions.
- 1 killed, 17 injured in New York City apartment fire
- The Fed may wait too long to cut interest rates and spark a recession, economists say
- Watch a rescuer’s cat-like reflexes pluck a kitten from mid-air after a scary fall
- Embattled superintendent overseeing Las Vegas-area public schools steps down
- Blake Lively Reveals Rule She and Ryan Reynolds Made Early on in Their Relationship
- How Benny Blanco Has Helped Selena Gomez Feel Safe and Respected in a Relationship
- In an AP interview, the next Los Angeles DA says he’ll go after low-level nonviolent crimes
- Here are 5 things to know about Lionel Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend documentary
Ranking
- NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey
- 'Wait Wait' for February 24, 2024: Hail to the Chief Edition
- Jimmy Butler ejected after Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans brawl; three others tossed
- Hey Fox News: The gold Trump sneakers are ugly. And they won't sway the Black vote.
- One person is dead after a shooting at Tuskegee University
- Bill headed to South Dakota governor would allow museum’s taxidermy animals to find new homes
- Yankees' Alex Verdugo responds to scorching comments from ex-Red Sox star Jonathan Papelbon
- Vigil held for nonbinary Oklahoma teenager who died following a school bathroom fight
Recommendation
-
FSU football fires offensive, defensive coordinators, wide receivers coach
-
Toyota recalls 280,000 Tundras, other vehicles over transmission issue
-
Trying to eat more protein to help build strength? Share your diet tips and recipes
-
2 National Guard members killed in Mississippi helicopter crash during training flight
-
Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Veterans Day? Here's what to know
-
Remains identified as Oregon teen Sandra Young over half a century after she went missing
-
Jury finds Wayne LaPierre, NRA liable in corruption civil case
-
Manhunt underway after subway rider fatally attacked on train in the Bronx