Phil Neville has given ‘massive, massive respect’ to Wayne Rooney for his handling of an alleged racist incident during a game between their two Major League Soccer sides.
Neville’s Inter Miami beat Rooney’s DC UnitedAlthough the final score was 3-2, it was overshadowed in the second half by an in-game delay.
Taxiarchis Fountas from United was accused in the 59th-minute of the match of racially abusing Inter player Damion Lowe. Play was stopped for four minutes.
Former Manchester United teammates Neville & RooneyFountas, the former striker, was summoned by Elfath.
Neville discussedHe did not decide whether his players should be allowed to leave the field during the break, but he thanked Rooney and the referee for their handling of the situation.
“There was a racist comment that was unacceptable,” he said post-match.
“A word was used that I think is unacceptable in society. I think it’s the worst word in the world.
“There is no place at all for racism on a football field or society.
“I must commend my players for keeping their calm, I must commend the referee – a really difficult situation he followed the protocols set out by the MLS – and I must give massive, massive respect to Wayne Rooney for dealing with it in the way that he did.
“I have always known him as a class act and today he went up in my estimation more than he has ever done, more than any goal he has ever scored.”
In the aftermath of the match an MLS spokesperson told ESPN: “MLS has zero tolerance for abusive and offensive language and we take these allegations very seriously. An investigation into this matter will begin promptly.”
DC United also released a statement, saying: “DC United are aware of the allegations involving a player during the match against Inter Miami CF. The club will work closely with Major League Soccer and Inter Miami to investigate the incident.”
