Damion Lowe racial abuse case against DC United player fizzles
Published:Wednesday | November 2, 2022 | 12:08 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
CREDIBLE BUT inconclusive.
Those were the findings from Major League Soccer’s investigation into an allegation that DC United player, Taxi Fountas, racially abused Inter Miami FC defender and Reggae Boy, Damion Lowe.
The investigation began in the aftermath of an MLS regular season game between the two clubs on September 18 where, after a brief altercation between Lowe and Fountas, the latter was accused of using a racial slur.
According to the league office, on Monday, it could not independently verify what Fountas said, although they found the allegations made by Inter Miami FC defender Aime Mabika “credible”. It also said that it did not find credible Fountas’ claim that he did not say anything in that moment.
“Video of the incident clearly shows Mabika suddenly reacting to something he believed he heard from Fountas,” MLS said in a statement released on Monday. “MLS was unable to confirm independently through additional eyewitness accounts, video footage or audio recordings, what Fountas said in that moment as has been the league’s long-standing practice in determining player discipline for these types of allegations.”
The incident in question occurred in the 59th minute of Miami’s 3-2 win over DC United where Fountas and Lowe were involved in that altercation, with Mabika reacting angrily to what Fountas said.
Lowe’s teammate, DeAndre Yedlin told The Athletic after the game what he recalled from the events leading up to and after the incident.
“Damion and another player got into a bit of a scuffle, as Damion walked away one of their guys called him the N-word,” Yedlin said after the game.
He later offered that the Miami players, after the incident, decided that they wouldn’t continue playing if some action was not taken. DC United head coach Wayne Rooney substituted Fountas soon after for play to continue.
Inter Miami have yet to release a statement in response to the findings; however, DC United in a statement on Monday said it has accepted the findings of the investigation and acknowledged Fountas’ cooperation throughout the proceedings. Additionally, the club said that they are committed to the fight against racism in the league.
“DC United are committed to continuing to do the work needed to uphold one of our club’s core values, that racism has no home in our sport and we must be proactive in our efforts to create a place where all feel welcome and respected,” the statement said.
MLS said that it plans to review its policies regarding allegations of abuse and discriminatory language during the offseason.
Lowe made 29 appearances for Inter Miami this season scoring one goal, and helping the team reach the playoffs. They were eliminated by reigning champions New York City FC on October 17.