The Portland Timber’s MLS clash with Minnesota United was halted on Saturday night, after the Timber’s Diego Chara was allegedly subjected to racist abuse by an opposition player.
The incident happened in the 65th minute when Portland players brought to the attention of the officials that their teammate had been subjected to a racist taunt, which resulted in the referee temporarily stopping the game.
Officials spoke at length with the Timbers stars, but no action was taken and the game continued. Portland coach Giovanni Savarese was furious at officials’ handling of the situation and said he was “extremely disappointed” that the incident happened.
“I am very, very disappointed that we have to deal with situations like this that should not happen in any sport,” Savarese said. “There was a discriminatory word that said to one of our players who can have no place in any sport or anywhere.
“The referee should have handled this situation in a much better way. We all support Diego Chara. I was very disappointed that it was not taken as seriously as it should have been. So the team, myself, the whole organization, is with Diego Chara in this situation that has happened on the field today. ”
“We all support Diego Chara. What happened to him today, the discriminatory word that was said to him, should have no place anywhere.”
Gio Savarese explains why the game was stopped in the 65th minute and expresses his disappointment at how it was handled. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/5FUmTwErq5
– Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) June 27, 2021
Minnesota United have spoken to the player who is believed to have thrown the slur and ‘he says he did not say anything’. The club has also chosen to withhold the player’s identity.
The Portland Timbers lost the game 1-0 on Saturday night, after Adrien Hunou scored the winning goal initially two minutes. The hosts pressed to draw level, but could not really find the killer to point Minnesota back.
Minnesota moves across Portland in the Western Conference and sits in fifth place with the Timbers in seventh.
