Landon Donovan’s San Diego Loyal forfeit match over alleged slur directed at Collin Martin by Phoenix Rising’s Junior Flemmings, who denies using the language
Landon Donovan and his San Diego Loyal players walked off the pitch in protest at an alleged homophobic slur directed at Collin Martin from an opposing player.
Upon hearing Martin’s complaint, first told to the fourth official during Wednesday night’s USL Championship match against Phoenix Rising, the manager said he ‘lost it’.
Donovan spoke with Rick Schantz at half-time about the incident in which Martin alleged he was the victim of a homophobic slur
Schantz’s comments did not go down well with Donovan, who became visibly distressed
Donovan hit back at his opposite number to tell him his opinion on the matter
The encounter was the final one in Loyal’s inaugural season, with the club still in contention for a play-off spot as they led Phoenix 3-1 at half-time.
However, after a perceived lack of action following their half-time complaint when the referee signalled the start of the second half, San Diego’s coaching staff and players took a knee and walked off the field in protest.
Loyal’s decision to walk off comes less than a week after they forfeited a point earned in a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy II after a racial slur was directed at defender Elijah Martin.
LA Galaxy II parted ways with Omar Ontiveros following the incident where he is believed to have made a derogatory remark towards a black player in the 71st minute, with no action taken by the officials at the time.
“In the first half a member of Phoenix Rising used a homophobic slur directed at Collin Martin. In response we have decided to walk off the pitch in protest,” the club posted on Twitter.
“Last week we made it loud and clear that we do not stand for racism or homophobia. Nothing has changed this week.”
And a week later, Donovan led his side off the field and was seen debating the decision with opposite number, Rick Schantz, who was heard telling the USA legend the alleged abuse was just ‘apart of soccer’.
Donovan was visibly upset as he tried to explain his position and made it clear afterwards.
“We’ve been through a lot in the last week, this club, the players, the organisation,” he said.
“Most people from afar probably don’t get in, but we’ve been living it. We went through a very hard incident last week in the LA match, and we made a vow to ourselves, our community, our players, our club, to USL, that we would not stand for bigotry and homophobic slurs – things that don’t belong in our game.
“Last week our one regret was that we didn’t do something in the moment when Elijah was racially abused.”
Explaining San Diego’s stance, Donovan added: “At the end of the first half Collin came over and told the fourth official that a homophobic slur had been made against him by one of their players.
“When I heard that I lost it because I know what this team has gone through and I know how hard it was for them to take the field tonight given everything that had happened.
“For it to happen again a week later was devastating for me.
“It was a really difficult 20 minutes as our players in the heat of the moment still wanted to play. But if we wanted to be true to who we are as a club we have to speak and we have to act.
“After half-time we all decided that if the player who made the homophobic slur wasn’t removed from the game by either the official or through the coach, we weren’t going to play.
“I asked the referee to do something about it, but he said he couldn’t. He said he knew the word had been said, but he didn’t know what it means and he couldn’t interpret it.”
Following the match, Phoenix Rising midfielder Junior Flemmings identified himself as the player involved in the incident and said the accusations against him were ‘false’.
“The referee admitted he did not hear any homophobic slurs and was utterly confused by the situation,” Flemmings claimed.
“At no point did I say a homophobic slur towards Collin Martin, I do not know Colin personally, but I respect all of my opponents equally, Collin included.
“I am disappointed by San Diego’s actions this evening as I have been mauled and ridiculed online with no opportunity to defend myself.
“This is my statement, I stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ movement.”
Martin, the only openly gay man in America’s top five sports leagues, is yet to comment publicly on the incident.
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