10 August 2023 , 20:38
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Wayne Rooney's DC United have sacked their forward Taxi Fountas after an MLS investigation found evidence to suggest he directed a racist slur at a teammate.
The Greek striker is now a free agent after the four-time MLS Cup victors decided to rip up his contract following the league's probe into a report that he had used discriminatory language. The incident occurred during DCU's match with the New England Revolution on July 15 during the second half of that game.
In clips from the match versus their Eastern Conference rivals, Fountas was seen arguing with his teammate Nigel Robertha. It later emerged that the two players were subsequently involved in a locker room altercation following the end of the game.
Robertha told club officials that his teammate had used racist words towards him and DC United immediately communicated this allegation to MLS. The players were then placed on paid administrative leave by his then-employers while an investigation was launched by the league.
Following this, Robertha was reinstated for MLS action on July 24 but Fountas was never re-admitted back to the DC United fold after the probe was launched. This is the second time the two-time Greece international has been accused of using racist language, with the forward having been accused of using a slur during a match against Inter Miami last year.
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In that instance, Fountas was alleged to have used racist language towards opposition defender Damion Lowe. The league's investigation into the matter did find the evidence provided by the Herons' Aimé Mabika to be "credible" but they were unable to corroborate the allegations.
Now, DC United have decided to part ways with the forward following the end of the investigation conducted by MLS following this latest allegation. A statement released by the franchise read: "DC United and forward Taxi Fountas have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, effective immediately.
DC United's Taxiarchis Fountas was suspended by the club after the allegations were made by his teammate. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)"Fountas was placed on administrative leave by MLS on July 21 following what the league determined were credible allegations that he used prohibited and discriminatory language against another player. There is no place for racism, homophobia, misogyny, or discrimination of any kind in our sport and world and DC United do not tolerate any acts of this nature."
MLS also released a statement confirming that Fountas would be leaving the club following the conclusion of their investigation into the allegations that he had used discriminatory language. Calling these allegations "credible", the leading US league confirmed: "It was announced earlier today that D.C. United and forward Taxi Fountas have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, effective immediately.
"Fountas was placed on administrative leave on July 21 following credible allegations that he used prohibited and discriminatory language against another player. Major League Soccer and its clubs are committed to eradicating racism from the game."