The New York Red Bulls' academy teams have decided to withdraw from the Adidas Generation (GA) Cup after their players alleged a “severe lack of action” by Major League Soccer in relation to two separate racist incidents on the pitch.
The latest of those incidents came on Thursday, when the team claimed Under-17 defender Eric Tye was racially abused by a player from Croatian side Hajduk Split. Sources present at the match said The athlete The referee recognized the racist language and removed the player as a result. A few days ago, Under-17 goalkeeper Joshua Grant alleged that he was subjected to racist abuse by a Monterrey player.
“What happened in the past two games is completely inappropriate and has changed our team forever,” the Red Bulls U17 players said in a statement on Thursday. “The extreme lack of action taken by the League is unacceptable and has left a feeling of distrust and uncertainty about our safety and well-being while playing in this event and our matches back home. We hope this situation highlights an ongoing issue in the game of football and in our world.
On Friday afternoon, the club issued a statement saying: “The New York Red Bulls have decided to withdraw from the U15 and U17 tournaments. There is no room for discrimination in competitive play. As an organization, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our players on and off the field.
The Red Bulls U17 team was eliminated from the tournament in the round of 16 by Hajduk Split on Thursday, but the U15 team qualified for the quarter-finals. The under-15 team did not participate in the match scheduled for Thursday against the French team Toulouse.
Hajduk is still scheduled to play Split in the U17 quarter-finals. Mexican club Monterrey were already eliminated but have played one more match since the incident and the club is still scheduled to play a consolation match on Friday.
Major League Soccer did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident in Hajduk Split and the departure of the Red Bulls. The league's academy department, MLS Next, issued a statement after the first incident saying it was aware of the allegations and was investigating them. On Friday, MLS Next issued another statement:
“Following three allegations of discriminatory language during two recent GA Cup matches, MLS NEXT immediately investigated and then issued suspensions in accordance with the MLS NEXT Disciplinary Code to the individuals who violated the MLS NEXT Safety and Wellness Policy. Additionally, MLS NEXT immediately provided resources in Website for affected players and clubs. Due to the age of minors, further details regarding the individuals involved will not be released.
“MLS NEXT acknowledges the New York Red Bulls’ decision to withdraw its U-15 and U-17 teams from the tournament and will continue to provide necessary support and resources to all affected.
“MLS NEXT remains steadfast in its commitment to eliminating discriminatory and racist incidents at every level of the game and will continue to work with all players to properly educate, train, and address any incidents quickly.”
According to a source familiar with the process who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, MLS Next has asked all participating teams to review their anti-discrimination policy, including prohibited terms, prior to the tournament. MLS Next made individual calls with all clubs as well. A reminder of the anti-discrimination policy was also sent to clubs via email on Monday, hours before Monterrey's match against the Red Bulls in which the first incident occurred.
The GA Cup is a premier youth soccer tournament organized by MLS, featuring all 29 MLS academies as well as selected others, including clubs from abroad. Manchester United, Arsenal, River Plate and Flamengo were among the international clubs that joined this year, along with Monterrey and Hajduk Split.
Ty was part of the Red Bulls U-15 team that won the MLS Next Cup last year before graduating to the U-17 team this year. Grant joined the Red Bulls academy this year from Real Salt Lake. He is a Jamaican youth international.
Thursday night, Grant She posted a story on Instagram He asks the league to “please do something.”
“Why do players of color like me keep being called monkeys in international teams?” Grant wrote. “Today the same thing happened to my teammates. Please do something.”
Tagged scholarship Black players for change As well as MLS and MLS Next Pro.
On Friday, the Philadelphia Union U17 team wore a red band on the wrist during their match against Hajduk Split in a show of support for the Red Bulls players.
The Philadelphia Union U17 team is trying out a red wrist band for their game today as a show of support for the New York Red Bulls.
Fili faces Hajduk Split in the GA Cup quarter-finals. Hajduk Split beat RBNY and the player was sent off for using a racist insult.
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