MLS to investigate D.C. United’s Taxi Fountas for alleged use of racial slur vs. Inter Miami

Major League Soccer is investigating allegations that D.C. United forward Taxi Fountas used a racial slur toward an Inter Miami player in the teams’ matchup Sunday.

The game was paused for several minutes after Fountas and Inter Miami defender Damion Lowe exchanged words in the 59th minute. Both Fountas and Lowe were issued yellow cards. D.C. coach Wayne Rooney pulled Fountas in the 66th minute.

Head referee Ismail Elfath told The Athletic that the players were issued yellow cards for “lack of respect of the game” before the alleged use of a slur was reported, and that “no official heard any racist or abusive language.” Elfath said the incident was also checked by the VAR.

Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin said that “Damion and another player got into a bit of a scuffle,” and that as Lowe walked away, “one of their guys called him the N-word.” Yedlin added that Inter’s players conferred after the incident and decided they wouldn’t continue playing unless something was done. Rooney and Neville conferred and decided that Fountas would be removed from the game at that point, multiple sources said Sunday night.

Miami coach Phil Neville said after his team’s 3-2 win that Fountas used a “racist comment” in the exchange, calling his comment one that’s “the worst word in the world.