DC United and attacker Taxi Fountas agree to terminate contract after second accusation of racist language in the past year
DC United and attacker Taxi Fountas agree to terminate contract after second accusation of racist language in the past year
DC United and Taxi Fountas have agreed to terminate the striker’s contract after it was alleged for the second time that the player used racist language, the team announced.
Fountas, who is white, was placed on administrative leave by MLS on July 21 following allegations that he had racially abused black teammate Nigel Robertha six days earlier.
The league deemed those allegations “credible,” D.C. United said in a statement.
“There is no place for racism, homophobia, misogyny or discrimination of any kind in our sport and world and DC United will not tolerate any act of this nature,” the team said.
Fountas was also the subject of an investigation last September for alleged racist remarks against then-Inter Miami defender Damion Lowe.
Taxi Fountas has parted ways with DC United after being accused of racism twice
Fountas (second right) was previously involved in a racism incident in September and was immediately taken off the pitch by his manager Wayne Rooney (right)
That claim was also deemed “credible,” but MLS said it could not prove whether the N-word had been used against Lowe.
The latest alleged incident occurred during a July 15 game against New England Revolution in which Fountas got into a fight with Robertha in the 67th minute.
The Athletic reported that the altercation on the pitch continued into the dressing room after the match, when Robertha hit Fountas with a foam roller.
It is alleged that Robertha later told team officials that Fountas used the N word, leading to an immediate MLS investigation.
Both players were initially placed on administrative leave, but Robertha was reinstated on 24 July.
Eleven months ago, Fountas was at the center of another MLS investigation after he was accused of making racial slurs against Lowe.
The alleged incident took place on September 18 and was allegedly overheard by one of Lowe’s teammates Aime Mabika.
In the days following the conclusion of that investigation, Fountas broke his silence to hit back at the allegations and insist that he was not using the N-word against his opponent.
Fountas wrote on social media: “I am pleased to announce (sic) that the MLS investigation into the racism allegation has been completed and closed.
“No evidence of racist behavior by me. I always respect the culture, religion and every human being.