New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir has apologised after making a racist remark at a San Jose Earthquakes player on Saturday.
The incident occurred during a game between the two sides, where a melee led to a lengthy stoppage and 20 minutes of added time at the end of the match. In the aftermath, San Jose star Jeremy Ebobisse said he heard a racist remark - and footage showed both sets of players pushing Vanzeir away from the scuffle.
Vanzier and his manager, Gerhard Struber, have since released statements after the incident. The striker admitted he made a "mistake", while Struber revealed he should have taken him off straight away.
"I want to sincerely apologize to the players of the Earthquakes," Vanzier told his club's website. "I will do everything I can to be part of the change that needs to happen in this sport and our world. I also want to apologize to my teammates, coaches, the organization and our fans. I made a mistake and will take all the necessary steps to grow.
"I accept full responsibility for my actions. While I did not intend to cause any harm or offense with my language, I know that I did and for that I am deeply sorry. I will agree to any suspension, fine and counselling that is handed down by Major League Soccer and the club.
"I will use this opportunity to better myself, reflect and dedicate my time and efforts to work with organizations that tackle racial injustice."
Meanwhile, Struber said: "During our match on Saturday, I made a decision that I thought was best given the information I had at that moment. While there was a lot of uncertainty at the time, with the information that I now know, the right decision would have been to immediately remove Dante Vanzeir from the game."
New York Red Bulls also issued an apology on their club website. It read: "The New York Red Bulls wholeheartedly apologize for the unacceptable events that transpired on Saturday night during the match with the San Jose Earthquakes. The words and inaction was inexcusable, and we believe there is never a place for it.
"We always strive for an environment that is inclusive and anti-racist. Our organization is committed to providing the resources to further educate our players and staff, as well as rebuilding trust within our community."
The game ended up finishing 1-1 in the MLS on Saturday as Tom Barlow scored a 90+17 minute equaliser to earn a point for New York Red Bulls after Cristian Espinoza had given San Jose the lead.
However, the incident overshadowed what was an entertaining affair. Ebobisse also spoke after the game and said: "This is what it is to be black in these situations. You can’t be wrong, you can’t overstep anything outside of what you know to be fact. You have to proceed with absolute caution, even in moments of hurt when you’re feeling rather powerless."
