The New York Red Bulls’ academy teams decided to pull out of the Generation Adidas (GA) Cup after their players alleged an “extreme lack of action” by MLS related to two separate on-field racist incidents.
The latest of those incidents came on Thursday, when the team alleges U-17 defender Eric Tai was racially abused by a player from Croatian side Hajduk Split. Sources present at the game told The Athletic that the referee recognized the racist language and sent the player off as a result. Days earlier, U-17 goalkeeper Joshua Grant alleged he was racially abused by a CF Monterrey player.
“What has happened these past two games is completely inappropriate and has changed our team forever,” the Red Bulls U-17 players said in a statement on Thursday. “The extreme lack of action taken by the league is unacceptable and has left a feeling of untrust and uncertainty in our safety and well-being while playing in this event and our games back home. We hope this situation will bring light to an ongoing problem in the game of football and in our world.”
On Friday afternoon, the club released a statement reading: “The New York Red Bulls have decided to withdraw from the U15 and U17 tournaments. There is no room for discrimination around competitive play. As an organization, we stand together with our players on and off the pitch.”
The Red Bulls’ U-17 team had been eliminated from the tournament in the round of 16 by Hajduk Split on Thursday, but the U-15 side had advanced to the quarterfinals. The U-15 team did not participate in Thursday’s scheduled game against French side Toulouse.
Hajduk Split is still scheduled to play in the U-17 quarterfinals. Mexican club Monterrey had already been eliminated but had played another game since the incident with the club still scheduled to play a consolation game on Friday.
MLS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident involving Hajduk Split and the Red Bulls’ departure. The league’s academy circuit, MLS Next, released a statement after the first incident saying it was aware of and investigating the allegations. On Friday, MLS Next released another statement:
“Following three allegations of discriminatory language used during two recent GA Cup matches, MLS NEXT immediately investigated and then issued suspensions in accordance with the MLS NEXT Disciplinary Code to the offending individuals for violating the MLS NEXT Safety & Wellbeing Policy. In addition, MLS NEXT immediately made resources available onsite to the affected players and clubs. Due to the minors’ age, further details regarding the individuals involved will not be disclosed.
“MLS NEXT acknowledges the New York Red Bulls’ decision to withdraw their U15 and U17 teams from the tournament and will continue providing all those impacted with the necessary support and resources.
“MLS NEXT remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating discriminatory and racial incidents at every level of the game and will continue to work with all players to properly educate, train and swiftly address any incidents.”
According to a source with knowledge of the process who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, MLS Next required all participating teams to review anti-discrimination policy, including banned terms, before the tournament. MLS Next had individual calls with all clubs, as well. A reminder of the anti-discrimination policy was also emailed to clubs on Monday, hours before the Monterrey vs. Red Bulls game in which the first incident occurred.
The GA Cup is a premier youth soccer tournament organized by MLS, featuring all 29 MLS academies plus select others, including clubs from abroad. Manchester United, Arsenal, River Plate and Flamengo were among the international clubs to join this year along with CF Monterrey and Hajduk Split.
Tai was part of the Red Bulls U-15 team that won MLS Next Cup last year before graduating to the U-17 team this year. Grant joined the Red Bulls academy this year from Real Salt Lake. He is a Jamaica youth international.
On Thursday night, Grant posted a story on Instagram asking the league to “please do something.”
“Why do colored players like myself continue to be called monkeys by international teams?” Grant wrote. “Today the same thing happened to my teammate. Please do something.”
Grant tagged Black Players for Change as well as MLS and MLS Next Pro.
On Friday, the Philadelphia Union U-17 team wore red wrist tape during their match against Hajduk Split in a show of support for the Red Bulls players.
Philadelphia Union U17s are trying to wear red wrist tape in their match today as a show of support to the New York Red Bulls.
Philly facing Hajduk Split in GA Cup quarterfinals. Hajduk Split beat RBNY & had player sent off for using racial slur.
📸 by the great @morgantencza https://t.co/NiGWI1qYyd pic.twitter.com/r48poeiK0c
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) April 5, 2024
(Photo: Morgan Tencza / USA TODAY Sports)
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
