Doing What Is Right: Landon Donovan’s Team Stands Up To Racism in Soccer
Once again the ugliness of racism pierced the sport of soccer. This time, on the USL Championship fields of San Diego Loyal vs LA Galaxy II when a Los Dos’ player used the “n” word as an insult to a Loyal. Today, without an apology or other comment, LA Gallaxy II posted on Twitter that the club and player had parted ways. But is that really good enough to stand up to blatant racism? Landon Donovan’s SD Loyals took a much strong position to voice their stand against racism — doing it right.
Recap: San Diego Loyal SC announced the USL Championship club was forfeiting the point earned in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy II (Los Dos) because one of their players was the victim of a LA Galaxy player hurling a racial slur.
Still alive for the playoffs and with one more regular-season match left, San Diego Loyal has offered to forfeit the match against LA Galaxy II played on Wednesday night in Carson after it was confirmed that one of the players for “Los Dos’ made a racist remark against a player for San Diego.
“We don’t even want to recognize being a part of a match where these types of actions take place,” said SD Loyal’s Chairman Andrew Vassiliadis.
“The Loyal in our name is symbolic of the diversity in our community and as a club we will not stand for this.”
Andrew Vassiliadis, San Diego Loyal Chairman.
The incident occurred in the 71st minute when defender Omar Ontiveros used the n-word against an undisclosed San Diego Loyal player of African American descent.
According to a statement issued by the league: “None of the facts in the subsequent investigation of the incident by the USL Championship were disputed by any of the involved parties.”
Read: LANDON DONOVAN ON WOMEN, RACISM AND THE PRESSURE TO WIN
Ontiveros has been issued a six-game suspension by the USL along with an undisclosed fine for his team. Ontiveros also received a red card in the final minute of the match which ended in a 1-1 draw, Ontiveros would have started to serve an additional one-game suspension for his ejection starting this Saturday night when LA Galaxy II faces Las Vegas Lights but he and his team have parted ways as of today.
“If there is anything we have learned during the last few months with all the racial injustice matters that have occurred, we have to take action that have consequences when these matters occur,” said President of SD Loyal Warren Smith.
Read: WE WILL NOT BE SILENT ABOUT RACIAL INJUSTICE — SD LOYAL
“I am proud of this organization, its ownership, staff, and especially our players for wanting to take such action.”
An official statement had not been issued by LA Galaxy II prior to the announcement of the club and player parting ways.
Soccer fans do not want to see San Diego Loyal lose a valuable point in the USL Championship as they now prepare for their final match of the regular season this Wednesday night at Torero Stadium against Phoenix Rising.
Tweet from San Diego Loyal with hundreds of comments in support.
“We don’t even want to recognize being a part of a match where these types of actions take place.”
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) September 25, 2020
Our full statement below regarding the racial slur that was directed at our player in the Sept. 23rd match.#SDLoyal | #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/bwIr50ToFy
Editor’s Note: Thank you San Diego Loyal for showing us what real courage and conviction mean.