FC Cincinnati's Alvas Powell has announced he was a victim of racial abuse following their playoff loss against Columbus on Saturday evening.
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FCC's Powell victim of racist abuseJamaican issues statementSecond Cincy incident in a monthWHAT HAPPENED?
The Jamaica international shared that he was sent "monkey emojis" on social media during and following the match, describing that he is at his "lowest moment" right now. The statement comes weeks after teammate Dominque Badji was a victim of vile racist abuse after a playoff win over Red Bull New York.
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The statement from Powell is heartbreaking, as no person should have to suffer abuse of any sort, such as the one that he's shared. His club, FC Cincinnati, shared a statement saying "Racism has no place on or off the pitch, in our league, or anywhere else. We stand behind you, Alvas, as part of our club and our community."
MLS issued a statement saying: "Major League Soccer unequivocally condemns racism and hate and is committed to supporting FC Cincinnati defender Alvas Powell and anyone in our league faced with racial abuse. MLS is cooperating with law enforcement to identify the individuals responsible. Those found responsible for these unacceptable attacks on MLS players will face serious consequences, including exclusion from all MLS sanctioned events and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."
MLSPA posted the following:
WHAT POWELL SAID
The defender wrote on Twitter: "I don’t even know where to start. After the game last night, I couldn’t sleep. To encounter something like this in my DM not just one but multiple messages from cowards hiding behind random profiles on social media calling me a monkey. To go out of your way to call me a monkey and be racist, to me or anybody, I just think it's unacceptable. After working so hard for a club that I love, a fanbase that I love and shows me nothing but love, It hurt my feelings to see that.
"It was an emotional night for me. I'm at my very lowest point right now. Just the following week same thing happened with Dom. It’s important to just remain humble and do everything in my power to this do not let things like this get the best of me, but it's a hard pill to swallow. I love and appreciate all the people that reach out to me and show me the love and support, thank you. This has no place in our game, or anywhere."
USA Today Sports WHAT NEXT FOR POWELL?
MLS will now investigate the claims from Powell, and if needed, will involve the proper authorities. The claims from Powell follow an early November incident involving Philadelphia Union's Kai Wagner and New England Revolution's Bobby Wood, where the former admitted to racial abuse.