Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen was critical of Wednesday’s decision among MLS players to stop the league from playing their scheduled games in protest of racial injustice, specifically the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man who police shot seven times in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday. During an interview on a radio station he has, he compared the players’ decision to stuttering, saying it was disrespectful to the local community.
“[T]hey clearly support national issues, but it is very clear that they do not support our local community, “Hansen said, via ESPN.[T]here is a deep disappointment that the spirit that is Real was abandoned yesterday. … Of course, the importance of bringing community together at COVID was not respected. “
Hansen is not only the owner of the local MLS franchise, but also Utah Royals FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. He went on to say that the walkout was “like someone stabbing you and trying to figure out a way to get the knife out and move forward. That’s how it feels. The disrespect is deep to me personally.”
The owner also threatened to take his money out of the club and fire more staff from his stadium as a result of what happened Wednesday. Rio Tinto Stadium had reduced its capacity to 5,000 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the owner states that he brought workers back in response to the return of fans.
“It has taken a lot of wind out of my sails, what an effort I want to make to recruit players and build a great team. It just seems like that is not a very good path to take,” Hansen said.
“We are not going to invite fans back in the future, so tomorrow I will start cutting 40 to 50 jobs again.”
Players around the league and from other sports responded to these comments. Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore, with retired MLS goalkeeper Nick Rimando and Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell were among the sports figures to post something about it on Twitter.
Perhaps most striking are the comments coming from a current player on the team, and the current commissioner of the league.
Real Salt Lake defender Nedum Onuoha expressed his frustration in an interview he gave with BBC World Service, saying “I do not want to be here because I’m not here to play for someone who is not around us We are trying to make a bigger conversation, but many of the people in power are not [empathize] of [sympathize] or do everything. They are more concerned with themselves. “
A statement from MLS commissioner Don Garber was released via the PR Twitter account of league:
“I appreciate Dell Loy Hansen’s efforts to build football in Utah. His commitment to MLS, the NWSL and the USL, as well as the game at the youth level, has been important. However, I strongly disagree with the comments made. he made today and the way they were expressed.They do not reflect the opinions 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.”
