MLS unable to corroborate alleged racial slur used in Timbers-Minnesota match

Major League Soccer announced on Monday that they have concluded their investigation into the alleged racial slur used by a Minnesota United player during their match against the Portland Timbers on June 26. MLS found that there was not enough evidence to refute or corroborate the claim.

In a press release from the league, MLS said that they conducted interviews with several players and the match official over the incident while also examining closely all available audio and video. After doing so, they said there was not enough evidence to come to a firm conclusion. Here’s the quote from the press release.

While MLS found the allegation to be made in good faith, the League could not corroborate or refute the allegation.

After the June 26 match, Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese said that Diego Chara had a racial slur used against him during the match by a Minnesota United player. ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle wrote that a source told him that Franco Fragapane was the player who used the slur against Chara. Referee Rosendo Mendoza handed out no discipline after halting the match for three minutes.

For our original story on the incident, you can click on the link here. For Major League Soccer’s press release, click here.