The English Wayne Rooney, 36, and Phil Neville, 45, two former glories of Manchester United were opposed in Major League Soccer (MLS) this Sunday, each at the head of their respective team, DC United for Rooney, Inter Miami for Neville. For their reunion, alas, the two coaches had to deal with racist outbursts during the game attributable to a DC player.
A clash occurred between Taxiarchis Fountas (DC United) and Jamaican international Damian Lowe (Inter Miami). The tone is raised. Fountas would then have called Lowe a “nigger”, provoking the anger of the latter and the interruption of the meeting by the referee.
The latter exchanged with the two captains, then the two coaches, not without having issued a warning to the two players, who continued to fight. Rooney intervened and made it known that he would replace the offending player at the first opportunity, and complied.
“It was an unacceptable racist comment,” Neville said after the game. The word used is unacceptable, it is the worst word in the world. There is no place for racism on the football field. Owners (of MLS franchises) agree 100%. I have to congratulate my players for keeping their composure. I must congratulate the referee for handling a really difficult situation. He followed the protocols set out by MLS, and I have to give credit to Wayne Rooney for handling the way he did. »
The former MU defender was particularly complimentary to his former Mancunian comrade, in the present circumstances. “I’ve always known him to be a classy guy,” Neville added. He has risen in my esteem again, more than for any goal he has ever scored. The players were hurt and disappointed. (…) I think I have never been so proud of my players as tonight. »
An investigation opened by the MLS
The latter had indicated that they were ready to leave the lawn, as confirmed by DeAndre Yedlin, the defender of Inter Miami, adding that the victory of his team (3-2, thanks to a goal from Gonzalo Higuain in additional time), was anecdotal: “If nothing had been done, we would not have continued. It doesn’t even feel like a win because of this incredibly dark moment. We’ll see what MLS does about it. »
An investigation has been opened into this case by the North American championship. This new offensive of racism echoes the incidents that occurred almost simultaneously in the Madrid derby between Atlético and Real, on this side of the ocean on Sunday evening. Atlético supporters have uttered racist insults against Vinicius Jr, the Brazilian striker of Real, already at the center of a similar controversy last week. Dozens of Colchonero fans chanted these insults in front of the Metropolitano stadium before the game, according to images broadcast by Cope radio on social networks.
La Liga said it would submit this footage to its Anti-Violence Commission, along with other footage during the game.