Phoenix Rising FC Player Suspended For Homophobic Slur: USL

PHOENIX — Phoenix Rising player Junior Flemmings has been suspended for six games and will pay an undisclosed fine after players with the San Diego Loyals accused him of using a homophobic slur against their teammate Collin Martin, who is gay, during a Sept. 30 match.

The United Soccer League announced the development after it investigated the incident, which caused the entire San Diego team to walk off the field in protest and forfeit the game. They had been leading the Rising 3-1.

The league said his suspension is "for the use of foul and abusive language in the form of a homophobic slur" and that it "covers the entirety of the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs."

Flemmings previously denied the allegations in a tweet, but he has since deleted his Twitter account. He remains on administrative leave with the Rising. His contract with the club expires on Nov. 30.

Martin was issued a red card at the end of the first half of the Sept. 30 game. Several Loyal players then approached the referee to accuse a Rising player of using a slur, ESPN reported at the time.

The Loyal also walked off during a game held the week prior when a player was called a racial slur by a member of the LA Galaxy II. Galaxy player Omar Ontiveros was suspended by the league and cut by the team after officials found that he had called Loyal player Elijah Martin a racial slur.

In a statement on the team website, Phoenix Rising General Manager Bobby Dulle said the club accepts the league's decision and will continue to offer Flemmings resources to learn and grow from this experience.

"These actions could not be more contrary to the core values of our organization, and we apologize to all who were affected," Dulle said. "We will use this as an opportunity to learn, grow and be a force for change, as we work towards eradicating bias from our sport and our community."