Major League Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps have released a statement in support of three academy players who were attacked in an alleged racially motivated attack.
The Canadian team confirmed that a player was in hospital with life-threatening injuries and is expected to fully recover after the operation. A suspect has been arrested.
Whitecaps has condemned the assault / Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
CBC report The 17-year-old was stabbed in Burnaby, in British Columbia, Canada, on Saturday.
The MLS statement reads: “Major League Soccer is aware that three players from the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy were violently assaulted in an alleged racially motivated attack on the evening of Saturday 14 August.
“Our first priority is to continue to support the health, safety and well-being of our players and their families during this painful and outrageous time. We are united in condemning violence, discrimination, racism and hatred in all their destructive forms.
“Major League Soccer and Whitecaps are working together to closely monitor the situation. We are all committed to supporting the prosecution of anyone who has been proven to be involved in this abuse.”
“Enough is enough. We are heartbroken and sick of the allegations and strongly condemn all forms of discrimination, racism and hatred,” the Whitecaps statement added.
“Such disgusting behavior has absolutely no place in our society. We will do everything to support our affected players and call for the toughest punishments possible for those responsible.”
