Charlie Davies expressed his dissatisfaction with MLS’s handling of the racist remark made by Dante Vanzeir
New York Red Bulls striker Vanzeir has been suspended for six matches for using a racist slur towards Jeremy Ebobisse during a game against the San Jose Earthquakes. Now, Charlie Davies expressed his disappointment with how MLS handled the incident.
Davies, who is currently a CBS Sports Golazo analyst for the show ‘Morning Footy’, expressed his disappointment with the actions taken by MLS regarding the racist slur used by Dante Vanzeir.
He believes that the league did not take strong enough measures to punish Vanzeir and set an example for others.
Davies demands Vanzeir’s removal from MLS
“I just think it minimizes the movement because there was this window, this opportunity that the league had. The momentum was going the right way,” he said, referring to the league’s efforts to develop inclusion.
He added: “Six games and a small $10,000 fine. For me it’s just so disheartening. I slept on it. And I thought about why would you go this direction after all this hard work to build up the league. And build up the people who are usually marginalized and discriminated against across every aspect of life?”
Davies, who represented the USMNT 17 times, feels that the current situation presents a chance for real change to be made in the sport’s approach to tackling racism.
“This is the first time that I’ve ever heard in my life a player admitting to using a racial slur…They said zero tolerance, that’s a league-wide statement.”
“[Kick Vanzeir] out of the league. Guess what? That will send a message to the world.”
After the racist slur incident involving Vanzeir, New York Red Bulls have already removed him from the squad. However, the Viking Army supporters club, which is associated with the team, has demanded additional measures. They have planned a walkout after the national anthem during the upcoming home match against Houston Dynamo on April 16th.
A statement posted to their Twitter confirms the plans, and insists that “some things are bigger than soccer and we need to take a stand”.
