CONCACAF has opened an investigation right into a derogatory remark allegedly made by Los Angeles FC defender Sergi Palencia towards Chidozie Awaziem of the Colorado Rapids throughout their CONCACAF Champions Cup match on Tuesday evening.
Play was stopped late within the second half after Awaziem was seen pleading with referee Pierre-Luc Lauzière. Awaziem, match officers, each workforce captains and each coaches gathered to debate the scenario. Play resumed, and after the ultimate whistle Awaziem started talking to Palencia.
Rapids head coach Chris Armas defined afterward that Awaziem claimed he was the goal of a “derogatory time period” geared toward him by Palencia.
“There was an incident that occurred on the sphere,” . “Our participant, Chidoze Awaziem, was fairly clear and upset at a derogatory time period that [Palencia] stated. [Awaziem] was clear about what was stated. Our membership, myself, we’re absolutely behind our participant to help him with an investigation into what precisely what went down. He was visibly upset.”
Steve Cherundolo, LAFC’s head coach, confirmed to reporters that Awaziem claimed he heard a phrase “that bothered him.”
“[Awaziem] thought that it was directed in the direction of him,” Cherundolo stated. “I don’t know what immediately what was stated. I used to be on the sideline. I’m certain the referees will write a report after which we’ll determine it out from there. If gamers hear one thing they usually can’t play, we need to help the gamers. We’ll let the referees and CONCACAF determine that out.”
CONCACAF launched a press release on Wednesday saying that that the group has opened an investigation into the incident.
“The investigation will contain a radical evaluation of the match officers’ studies, out there match footage, and the respective positions of each golf equipment.”
The Rapids launched a press release supporting CONCACAF’s investigation.
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“The Colorado Rapids absolutely help Concacaf’s ongoing investigation into the reported use of abusive language by an LAFC participant throughout final evening’s match at BMO Stadium.
“As a membership, we don’t tolerate any type of abuse, and we stand with our gamers following these very severe allegations. This language has no place in our sport.”
to complete with a 2-2 draw within the home-and-home sequence and superior to the Spherical of 16 primarily based on the away purpose tiebreaker.
LAFC will subsequent face the Columbus Crew within the competitors with the primary leg happening on March 4 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.