The New York Red Bulls’ U-15 and U-17 academy teams have pulled out of Adidas’ Generation Cup over players’ claim that MLS organizers displayed an ‘extreme lack of action’ in response to two separate racist incidents that occurred on the field of play.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday, when U-17 Red Bulls defender Eric Tai was allegedly subjected to racist abuse by a member of Croatia’s Hajduk Split. DailyMail.com has been informed that the accused player was sent off, while the league has re-addressed its anti-discrimination policies with both players and teams in the ongoing tournament.
Days earlier, goalkeeper Joshua Grant claimed he witnessed racist abuse from a CF Monterrey player. The native Jamaican wrote on social media: ‘Why do colored players like myself continue to be called monkeys by international teams? Today the same thing happened to my teammate. Please do something.’
The Red Bulls youth academy players released a statement on Thursday.
‘What has happened these past two games is completely inappropriate and has changed our team forever,’ the Red Bulls U-17 players said.
The New York Red Bulls’ academy teams are pulling out of Adidas’ Generation Cup
The Red Bulls Youth Academy players responded to the incidents with a statement
‘The extreme lack of action taken by the league is unacceptable and has left a feeling of untrust and uncertainty in our safety and well-being while playing in this event and our games back home.
‘We hope this situation will bring light to an ongoing problem in the game of football and in our world.’
MLS spokespeople have since released a statement.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday, when U-17 Red Bulls defender Eric Tai (pictured) was allegedly subjected to racist abuse by a member of Croatia’s Hajduk Split
‘Following three allegations of discriminatory language used during two recent GA Cup matches, MLS NEXT immediately investigated and then issued suspensions in accordance with the MLS NEXT Disciplinary Code to the offending individuals for violating the MLS NEXT Safety & Wellbeing Policy,’ the statement began. ‘In addition, MLS NEXT immediately made resources available onsite to the affected players and clubs.
‘Due to the minors’ age, further details regarding the individuals involved will not be disclosed.
‘MLS NEXT acknowledges the New York Red Bulls’ decision to withdraw their U15 and U17 teams from the tournament and will continue providing all those impacted with the necessary support and resources.’
The Red Bulls’ U-17 team had already been eliminated from the tournament by Hajduk Split, although U-15 remained in the competition until bowing out ahead of Friday’s game against France’s Toulouse.
The league’s amateur circuit, MLS Next, released a statement after the first incident saying it was aware of the problem and was investigating the claims.
A league source old DailyMail.com that MLS officials briefed every team on its anti-discrimination policy ahead of the tournament. Those briefings are said to have included banned terms.