Colin Clark Suspension Highlights Need for Tolerance in Sports
Major League Soccer has suspended Houston Dynamo midfielder Colin Clark for three games on Wednesday, imposing a fine on the player for an undisclosed amount after he shouted a gay slur at a ball boy during the Dynamo's loss to the Seattle Sounders last Friday.
With the suspension Clark became the first MLS player to be fined and suspended for using a homophobic slur.
In a statement MLS commissioner Don Garber explained that these types of actions will not be tolerated and that appropriate measures will be taken to prevent any future incidents.
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"Major League Soccer will not tolerate this type of behavior from its players or staff at any time, under any circumstances…Colin Clark has expressed sincere remorse for his actions, and I believe that he will learn from this incident," Garber said.
After serving his three game suspension and paying the fine Clark was also ordered to attend diversity and sensitivity training.
Clark issued his own apology and expressed regret over the incident. "I am sorry about what happened during the Seattle match," Clark said.
He continued; "I have personally apologized to the ball boy, and I want to take this chance to say I'm sorry to everyone that I've offended. I intend to never use those words again in any context."
The slur was caught on a microphone that was located on the side of the pitch and was made after the ball boy was slow to return the ball to Clark after it went out of bounds.
The Houston Dynamo also issued a statement concerning the actions and suspension of one of their players.
"Colin Clark made a regrettable and inexcusable mistake for which he is being disciplined. We accept and support the punishment that has been laid out by MLS and look forward to moving beyond it…We know that this incident is not a true representation of Colin's character or beliefs and that he is remorseful for what happened," the statement said.
