April 11, (THEWILL) – New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir has issued an apology after he used a racial slur during a 1-1 draw with San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
The Major League Soccer game was halted for 15 minutes at the Red Bull Arena after the Belgian striker was involved in a confrontation with an opposition player. In a statement, Vanzeir expressed his regret and said he was ready to accept any punishment that comes his way.
“I made a mistake and will take all the necessary steps to grow. I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he said. “While I did not intend to cause any harm or offence with my language, I know that I did and for that, I am deeply sorry.”
Vanzeir pledged to use the opportunity to better himself and work with organisations that tackle racial injustice. The New York Red Bulls also issued an apology, calling the incident “inexcusable.” The club said it was committed to providing resources to educate its players and staff and rebuild trust within the community.
The incident comes amid heightened sensitivity to racial issues in the US, particularly in sports.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
