Major League Soccer (MLS) and the owners of FC Dallas condemn death threats made against a Black player who criticized fans for booing players who knelt during the national anthem.
Reggie Cannon, speaking after a game in Frisco, Texas, between FC Dallas and Nashville SC earlier this week, said it was “absolutely disgusting” the way fans reacted.
“You have fans cheering for people who take a stand for what they believe in. Millions of other people support this cause and we have discussed with each other team and the league what we will do and we have fans who boo us own stadium, “said Cannon.
The blowback on social media to Cannon’s comments included racist and threatening remarks.
“We want to be clear: We love and support Reggie Cannon,” said Dallas team owners Clark Hunt and Dan Hunt. “The racist remarks and death threats he has received are reprehensible and unacceptable.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber also condemned the online threats.
“As we have consistently said over many years, Major League Soccer supports players and staff who protest peace on behalf of equality and social justice,” Garber said in a statement. “Some of the comments made on social media after the game were terrible.”
“We want to make it very clear that MLS will not tolerate any abuse or threats for any individual player or team that decides to exercise their right to peaceful protest while playing the national anthem or another first-name ceremony,” Garber added.
Cannon, 22, joined FC Dallas in 2017.
The Dallas-Nashville game was the first MLS game to be played in a team’s home stadium this season. The league was replayed earlier this summer with an “MLS is Back” tournament in Orlando, Fla.
Dallas and Nashville did not play in the tournament due to positive test results from COVID-19.
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