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FC Cincinnati banned a fan from attending any and all future matches because of a racist tweet directed at two players, the club announced late Tuesday night.
We stand firmly with our players and our supporters against racism. It has no place in our organization and it will not be tolerated. The individual with the racist tweet directed at our players last night will never be permitted to attend another #FCCincy match again. pic.twitter.com/5zauKTVB8a
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) July 1, 2020
The move follows a tweet from a fan that has since been deleted but prompted a reply from goalkeeper Bobby Edwards. The account @flex6307 in question has also been deleted.
According to a reddit post, the original tweet was @ FC Cincinnati players Fatai Alashe and Joseph-Claude Gyau, saying “they should start an all Negro league and quit fucking bitching.” Definitely worth a ban in our books.
Cincinnati’s motto is “Juncta Juvant” - a latin phrase translating to “strength in unity.”
Though you have failed to grasp that concept despite claiming to be an FCC “fan”, I can assure you that we as players haven’t.So you may support FC, but we certainly don’t support you. https://t.co/YotMtIZfSR
— Bobby Edwards (@RedwardsGK) June 30, 2020
Despite this strong response from FC Cincinnati, the club has had a checkered past with race this year. Ron Jans resigned as head coach in February for using a racial slur in front of players, with members of the team saying the club didn’t do enough to punish the action. That incident prompted some FCC supporters to attack Darren Mattocks online.
Statement from MLSPA Executive Director @BobFoose on the ongoing situation with FC Cincinnati: pic.twitter.com/iib3BYfv8l
— MLSPA (@MLSPA) February 18, 2020
Regardless, Tuesday’s action is a step in the right direction and follows the club’s commitment of $250,000 toward programs addressing racial disparities, which was announced earlier on Tuesday.
Former Manchester United center back Jaap Stam is the club’s current head coach now.
FC Cincinnati and the rest of MLS will return to play starting July 8 with the MLS Is Back Tournament.
