The San Diego Loyal left the field in protest Wednesday night, saying a Phoenix Rising player used an anti-gay bow against midfielder Collin Martin in the first half of his USL championship game.
Martin is an openly gay player.
The game, which was played at Torero Stadium in San Diego, was not recognized in the league’s results on Wednesday and the game was declared lapsed.
The USL championship said it is investigating the incident.
“We are aware of the alleged use of a homophobic bow in today’s game between San Diego Loyal SC and Phoenix Rising FC,” the league said in a statement. “Swearwords and abusive languages of any kind have absolutely no place in our society and will not be tolerated in USL games. An investigation is ongoing to establish the facts surrounding the incident. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.”
In the Loyal’s previous game, Galaxy II player Omar Ontiveros was banned from the league and eventually shortened by the team after uttering the N word towards Loyal player Elijah Martin.
“Last week we made it clear that we do not stand for racism or homophobia. This week nothing has changed,” tweeted the loyal on Wednesday evening.
We’re loyal to our message, we’re loyal to our players, we’re loyal to our fans, and most of all, we’re loyal to San Diego. #SDvPHX | #AllBlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/wXkv5O7qVr
– San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 1, 2020
The protest on Wednesday evening took place shortly after Martin issued a red card with Loyal’s 3-1 lead. Several loyal players approached a referee and were visibly upset. One of the players could say, “We’re off the field. We’re not going to do this again. F — that. We’re out of here.”
When loyal coach Landon Donovan and Rising coach Rick Schantz discussed the situation with the referee, a loyal player walked up to Schantz and said a Rising player had pointed a bow at Martin.
“Don’t be stupid,” said the player to Schantz. “You know what that means.”
Donovan later explained in a video posted on Twitter why his club wanted to leave the field.
“To their great merit, our boys only said, ‘We’re not going to stand up for this,'” Donovan said in the video. “They were very clear at that moment that they had given up all hope of the playoffs even though they single-handedly defeated one of the best teams in the league. But they said it doesn’t matter, there are things that are more important in life are.” and we have to stand up for what we believe in. And so they made the decision to leave. “
The riot issued a statement Wednesday night saying it was investigating “the allegation of a homophobic bow” used by one of its players. The riot said the player “vehemently denies these allegations.”
“Phoenix Rising stands together with the USL when it comes to rejecting and punishing homophobic behavior,” said the Rising in his statement.
Junior Flemmings later identified himself as the player accused of using the anti-gay slur and branded the allegation incorrectly. His teammates would back his account.
“At no point did I give Collin Martin a homophobic bow. I don’t know Collin personally, but I respect all of my opponents equally, including Collin,” said Flemmings said in a statement on Twitter. “I stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ + movement.”
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