UPDATE (8pm ET): MLS has released a statement responding to allegations made in an article on The Athletic that Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen has a history of making racially charged remarks during his time as the club’s owner.
The statement follows:
We are deeply concerned about the allegations made in a report published this evening on language used by and the conduct of Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen. Major League Soccer has zero tolerance for this type of language as behavior and will immediately begin an investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY (18:30 ET): MLS Commissioner Don Garber has released a statement strongly opposing the remarks made by Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen on Thursday morning.
Hansen criticized the refusal of many MLS players, including those of RSL and LAFC, to play their scheduled Wednesday games in protest against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and as part of the ongoing movement for police brutality and systemic racism in the end to make the United States.
In an interview with KXRK 96.3FM’s “Radio From Hell” show on Thursday morning, Hansen described the protest as “like someone stabbing you and trying to figure out a way to pull the knife out and move forward,” adding that “it disrespect is deep to me personally. ”He also accused the players of harming the club in bringing people together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday afternoon, Commissioner Garber issued the following statement in response:
I appreciate the efforts of Dell Loy Hansen to build the football sport in Utah. His commitment to MLS, the NWSL and the USL, as well as the game at the youth level, is important. However, I do not agree with the comments he made today, the way they were expressed, and they do not reflect the views of MLS.
This is a time for all of us to work together in the pursuit of racial equality and social justice. Major League Soccer and all its clubs will continue to provide support and initiatives that bring about real change.
.
