Red Bulls-Earthquakes paused after Dante Vanzeir accused of racist remark

The Red Bulls’ draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night was stopped for about 20 minutes after an alleged racist remark. 

The game was paused in the 54th minute after Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir appeared to say something to Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse. 

It’s unclear exactly what Vanzeir said, but Ebobisse asserted after the game that it was a “racist remark,” though he did not believe it was directed at him. 

Multiple Earthquakes players quickly surrounded and confronted Vanzeir, and tensions rose between the two teams before play finally resumed. 

“It was brought to our attention during Saturday’s match that one of our players allegedly used a racial slur on the pitch,” the Red Bulls said in a statement after the match. “The Red Bulls take these matters very seriously and promptly reported the allegations to Major League Soccer. We will cooperate with the League’s investigation. 

“The New York Red Bulls do not condone any form of harassment or discrimination.” 

As a result of the delay, the two teams played 22 minutes of stoppage time to finish the match, an MLS record. 

All the added time allowed the Red Bulls to earn a point when Tom Barlow scored the latest goal in MLS history, in the 17th minute of stoppage time, to secure the 1-1 draw.

Cristian Espinoza had previously given the Earthquakes the lead in the 80th minute. 

“Major League Soccer is aware of an incident wherein a New York Red Bulls player is alleged to have used language that violates league policy during the 54th minute of the New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes match tonight,” the MLS said in a statement. “MLS has zero tolerance for abusive and offensive language and takes these allegations seriously. An investigation into this matter will begin promply. 

“Further information will be provided upon completion of that investigation.” 

Despite the confrontation from Earthquakes players, and San Jose manager Luchi Gonzalez’s pleas, Red Bulls manager Gerhard Struber did not immediately take Vanzeir off the field. 

Play resumed in the 72nd minute after the incident, but Vanzeir remained in the game until he was substituted off in the 87th minute. 

“I was adamant to suggest that the player should not be on the field anymore,” Gonzalez told reporters after the game, per MLS.com reporter Tom Bogert. “When I listen to my players in terms of what was said or not said, there are things there that are unacceptable. It takes precedent over the game we play. 

“We’re going to support the players.” 

The Red Bulls signed Vanzeir, a Belgian international, as a designated player this past offseason from Belgian side Union SG. 

The deal was worth a $5.3 million transfer fee, per The Athletic, and can rise to become the team’s most expensive transfer ever if certain incentives are hit. 

Ebobisse called out Vanzeir after the game. 

“What we saw tonight should not be part of the game. … I know what I heard,” Ebobisse told reporters, per MLS.com. 

“This is what it is to be black in these situations. You can’t be wrong, you can’t overstep anything outside of what you know to be fact. You have to proceed with absolute caution, even in moments of hurt when you’re feeling rather powerless.”