Football officials are investigating a case of hateful remarks after they allegedly called Colorado Rapids players a dim-rog term during a game on Tuesday.
ESPN reported that the Union of Northern, Central America and Caribbean Associations, known as Concacaf, had begun an investigation after LAFC’s Sergi Palencia was called Rapid’s Chidozie Awaziem in the final minutes of the Close Concacaf Champions Cup Match at BMO Stadium in the Ktla Sister Station KDVR Report.
The exact term used by Palencia, a Spaniard for Nigerian Awadiem, has not been published, but reports of the movement indicate that they may be racist.
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After the game, Rapids coach Chris Armas said several players were visibly upset after leaving the game.
“As a club, we do not tolerate any form of abuse and are standing with our players in accordance with these very serious allegations. This language has no place in our game,” Rapids said in a statement Wednesday.
Awaziem posted a statement on Instagram on Wednesday, saying he believes he is the subject of abusive language, and that he immediately reported the incident to his teammates and officials.
“CONCACAF was clear in its ‘wrong’ campaign that discrimination doesn’t situate in our sport. As players, we need to know that these standards are supported and that we are protected on the field,” Awaziem said in a statement. “My hope is that the Governing Body of Sports continues to hold players and fans responsible for discriminatory language to create an environment that protects and respects players of all races and cultural backgrounds.”
LAFC posted on X on “Referee-Player Controversy” Tuesday night, saying Palencia was accused of using the mildly rogical terminology and that if that’s true, it’s not acceptable.
ESPN said in a statement late Wednesday that LAFC said: “LAFC is aware of the incidents reported during last night’s CONCACAF Champions Cup match and is fully cooperating with the ongoing CONCACAF investigation.
LAFC finished the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a 1-0 victory over Rapids on Tuesday. LAFC is heading to play the Columbus crew on Tuesday, March 4th.
