Inter Miami wins, says D.C. United player used racial slur during MLS scrimmage
Diego Serna scored two goals in a 2-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Diego Serna scored two goals in a 2-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Diego Serna scored two goals in a 2-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
D.C. United beat New York City FC 4-1 in a friendly before the MLS season starts on March 10.
The home team’s victory was a victory in itself, but the New York City FC players and supporters didn’t make the same celebration — shouting and waving at the goal.
They sang, “Go home” and “Take our country back.”
It’s always hard to tell when a group is actually celebrating something besides the game, to be honest, but this was quite clearly something other than the game.
United forward Serna, in fact, said he was called a racial slur during one of the players’ scrimmages with DC United, according to ESPN.com.
“I heard a racial slur,” Serna said, during a chat with reporters. “I heard a racial slur and I reacted [to it] and I apologized to them. I’m not the only one. I’m not the only one. There are a lot of people that got offended by it.”
At the time of this report, the players from both teams were still in a friendly ahead of the season. They continued to play until the game ended, and all of them have since apologized to each other and the league office.
The MLS has since released an official statement condemning hate violence and racism.
“Hate