DC Uniteds Taxi Fountas Investigated After Alleged Racial Slur: What We Know

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Late Friday night, around the time nearly every MLS fan nationwide was watching Lionel Messi’s debut, DC United released a statement. In it, the club said it had placed two players, forwards Nigel Robertha and Taxi Fountas, on paid administrative leave while the league investigates possible breaches of league policy.

The club did not specify what these violations were, but The Athletic later learned that Fountas and Robertha had been involved in an altercation, with Robertha alleging that Fountas had addressed a racial slur to him, after which Robertha allegedly assaulted Fountas.

This is the second time Fountas has been involved in such an investigation, with the Greece international having previously been accused of using an insult during a game against Inter Miami last year. The league refused to discipline him in this case, saying in a statement that while Miami’s allegations were credible, Fountas’ guilt could not be conclusively proven.

Here’s what we know about the new Fountas investigation and what may come next.

What’s the latest?

The current investigation stems from incidents during and after DC United’s game against the New England Revolution on July 15. In the 67th minute of this match, Fountas and Robertha exchanged words on the pitch, which was visible on the broadcast. It was, according to multiple sources briefed on the investigation, when Robertha alleges that Fountas used a racial slur against him. The two continued to argue, these sources said, until United striker Christian Benteke intervened. These sources and others in this story were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation.

After the game, Fountas and Robertha returned to the United States locker room where they once again exchanged words and had to be physically separated. According to these sources, Robertha hit Fountas with a foam roller (a massage device) and Fountas reprimanded Robertha. It was after this fight that Robertha alleged that Fountas used the insult on the field.

DC United have placed both players on administrative leave while the league investigates the incident, the club announced on Friday evening. Both Robertha and Fountas have already spoken to league investigators, with Fountas strongly denying Robertha’s accusation. On Monday, United announced that Robertha had been cleared to join the club’s activities. Fountas remains on leave while the league completes its investigation.

There were no other witnesses to the alleged use of the racial slur on the pitch. It’s very much a he-said, she-said, a source said.

Have the players talked about it?

Neither player has publicly commented on the matter. DC United declined to release either player, noting that league and club policy prevents parties involved in an ongoing investigation from speaking to the media.

On Tuesday, DC United assistant coach Pete Shuttleworth spoke to the media ahead of the US League Cup game against Montreal. United States head coach Wayne Rooney was supposed to speak but didn’t end up doing so. Tournament organizers said Rooney was under bad weather.

I can say very little at a minute, Shuttleworth told reporters. He is under MLS investigation, it has been reported. We have to support this as best we can and wait to see what result it will bring. That’s all I can say on this issue.

United midfielder Russell Canouse was also asked about the fallout from the incident.

I will speak on behalf of the team. Were looking to get together, he said. Obviously after a situation like that, it’s a difficult moment. We were looking to come together and put on a performance there (against Montreal) that shows it was a team that came together. (That question) is in the hands of the leagues, at this point, as the players were just trying to focus on what we can control and do our best for these next two games with the League Cup.

Why does this sound familiar to you?

This is the second time Fountas has been accused of using a racial slur during his time in MLS. On September 18, 2022, USA’s game against Inter Miami was halted in the 59th minute when Miami defender Aime Mabika accused Fountas of directing a racial slur at Makibas’ teammate Damian Lowe. After a long discussion between the referee and the two head coaches, Fountas was substituted out of the match.

MLS conducted an investigation into the incident, interviewing the players and reviewing audio and video from the match. More than a month after the incident, MLS announced its findings, stating that while it found Mabikas’ accusation credible, it could not conclusively prove that Fountas used the insult. Fountas went unpunished and strongly denied the allegations on his social media.

I didn’t use the word I’m being accused of using, Fountas wrote in an Instagram post. This despicable racial slur is the one I denounce and did not use. We had a heated discussion on the pitch, but I didn’t racially abuse anyone. I strongly reject racism in all its forms, it is despicable. I have many friends from many cultures. I always respect each person’s culture, religion and skin color. I am therefore very upset by this accusation and saddened to be falsely accused.

During the investigation, Fountas stayed with his family in Greece. After the conclusion of the investigation, he remained there until the end of the season.

Miami players and coaches have publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with the results of the MLS investigation.

I feel like racism is such an important topic and one that we can’t hide from, that we can’t sweep under the table, then-head coach Phil Neville said a week after the survey results were released. I feel like obviously at the time there were accusations and I fully support my players. And I still support my players to this day, that racism happened on that pitch.

Miami defenseman DeAndre Yedlin, speaking in January, said he felt like the league had swept him under the rug a bit.

All I can do is continue to be a clear voice against racism, he added.

What happens next?

MLS has not announced a timeline for the release of the results of the investigation, but club sources suggested this week that they expect it to happen sooner than the six weeks the league has taken to investigate Fountas’ alleged first incident of 2022.

In the meantime, DC United have purchased Fountas, multiple sources familiar with United States sports operations said this week. This, however, predates this latest allegation that the club have been seeking offers for Fountas for several months. After a breakout year in 2022, Fountas’ production has slowed in 2023. He has scored six goals in 17 appearances, 12 of which have started. He sometimes struggled to form a partnership with Benteke, who became the focal point of the United States attack.

It’s still unclear what kind of impact the allegations against Fountas will have on his value to foreign clubs. If it turns out that Fountas used the insult, it’s also unclear how DC United would react beyond the punishment the league itself imposes. There is already a large contingent of club fans, at least on social media, calling on the club to permanently sever ties with Fountas.

Is there a precedent for this?

Last April, New York Red Bulls player Dante Vanzeir was suspended for six games and fined an undisclosed amount by the league for using a racial slur during a game against the San Jose Earthquakes. Vanzeir immediately admitted to using the insult and said he would accept any fines, tips or other punishment the league gave him. He returned to the field in May after his teammates voted unanimously to bring him back.

In 2021, Portland Timbers player Diego Chara accused Minnesota United’s Franco Fragapane of insulting him during a game. Much like Fountas’ first investigation, the league said it could not conclusively prove that Fragapane had done so, and no penalties were issued. The league has also occasionally struggled with players who have used homophobic language. Cucho Hernandez, Sebastian Lletget and Santiago Sosa have all been suspended in recent years for this.

No MLS player has ever faced multiple public allegations like Fountas.

(Photo: Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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