February 28 – Hate speech is on the rise throughout the political and sporting world, and football has often been at the forefront. On Tuesday night during a Concacaf Champions Cup game between LAFC and the Colorado Rapids, Colorado defender Chidozie Awaziem was seen pleading with match referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere to stop the match!
The game was entering its final minutes with LAFC leading 1-0 with the home team ready to advance on away goals rule when the game was stopped.
Awaziem, along with the match officials, managers and captains of both teams conferred and per MLS’s official protocol for incidents of hate speech, the match was temporarily halted.
After discussions the match resumed, however, as soon as the final whistle blew, with LAFC advancing, Awaziem, began remonstrating with LAFC Spanish defender, Sergi Palencia.
Post-game, Rapids coach, Chris Armas confirmed the potential incident of hate speech saying: “There was an incident that happened on the field,” Armas said. “Our player, Chidoze Awaziem, was pretty clear and upset at a derogatory term that he (Palencia) said. He (Awaziem) was clear about what was said. Our club, myself, we’re fully behind our player to support him with an investigation into what exactly what went down. He was pretty upset.”
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo also confirmed the incident.
“One of Colorado’s players had heard something, a word, that bothered him,” Cherundolo told the media in attendance. “He thought that it was directed towards him. I don’t know what directly what was said. I was on the sideline. I’m sure the referees will write a report and then we’ll figure it out from there. If players hear something and they can’t play, we want to support the players. We’ll let the referees and Concacaf figure that out.”
Concacaf has started an investigation of the incident and released a statement on Wednesday saying:“Concacaf has initiated an investigation into a reported incident between players Chidozie Awaziem of Colorado Rapids and Sergi Palencia of Los Angeles FC during last night’s Concacaf Champions Cup match. The investigation will involve a thorough review of the match officials’ reports, available match footage, and the respective positions of both clubs.”
In response, both the Rapids and LAFC issued statements.
The Rapids said: “The Colorado Rapids fully support Concacaf’s ongoing investigation into the reported use of abusive language by an LAFC player during last night’s match at BMO Stadium. As a club, we do not tolerate any form of abuse, and we stand with our players following these very serious allegations. This language has no place in our game.”
LAFC, meanwhile, offered the following: “LAFC is aware of the reported incident between LAFC’s Sergi Palencia and Chidozie Awaziem of the Colorado Rapids during last night’s Concacaf Champions Cup match and is cooperating fully with the on-going Concacaf investigation. LAFC is a club for all and stands against hate in any form. We have spoken with our player about the incident and will continue to respect the investigative process.”
While it is not clear what Palencia is alleged to have said, it is hoped that the investigation will uncover any wrongdoing and that ‘hate speech’ will be illuminated from the game.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1740771510labto1740771510ofdlr1740771510owedi1740771510sni@o1740771510fni1740771510