Major League Soccer has suspended New York Red Bulls striker Dante Vanzeir for six matches due to his use of racist language during a match against the San Jose Earthquakes.
The incident occurred during the second half of the game, after a clash between Vanzeir and Jeremy Ebobisse caused a 20-minute delay. The Belgian international was found to have used a racist slur towards Ebobisse.
Following the incident, Vanzeir, the Red Bulls, and head coach Gerhard Struber all issued apologies. Vanzeir has since stepped away from the team until further notice.
On Thursday, MLS handed Vanzeir a six-game regular season ban and an undisclosed fine. The striker will also be required to participate in League-mandated training and education sessions, as well as a restorative practices program.
In his statement on Tuesday, Vanzeir acknowledged that his conduct was unacceptable and agreed to accept any punishment handed down by MLS.
He also stated that he plans to use this opportunity to reflect and work with organizations that tackle racial injustice.
Vanzeir’s signing was considered a significant achievement for the Red Bulls, as his goals helped propel Royale Union Saint-Gilloise from the Belgian second tier to the knockout stages of European competition. He had also broken into the Belgian national squad and attracted interest from numerous suitors.