United States men’s national soccer team players Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun have said that they received racist messages on social media following the team’s 2-1 loss to Panama in Copa America group play on Thursday.
In response, U.S. Soccer released a statement condemning the “hateful and discriminatory behavior” and showing its support for its players:
U.S. Soccer stands firmly against racism in all forms and will continue to support our players. <a href="https://t.co/QayH6AY7ji">pic.twitter.com/QayH6AY7ji</a>
Balogun scored the United States’ lone goal to put his team up 1-0 in the 22nd minute. The U.S. was down to 10 men after Timothy Weah was sent off in the 18th minute for striking Panama defender Roderick Miller in the head.
However, César Blackman scored a 26th-minute equalizer for Panama before José Fajardo added the game-winner in the 83rd minute for the 2-1 victory.
The USMNT plays first-place Uruguay next on Monday. The team sits in second place in Group C with three points and needs to stay in the top two in order to advance to the knockout round.
Its primary competition is Panama, which also has three points but is third via goal differential. However, Los Canaleros have the better matchup Monday against last-place Bolivia.
USMNT striker Balogun plays for Monaco of Ligue 1 in France. He’s scored seven goals in 29 appearances. The 22-year-old also has 14 caps for the Stars and Stripes and five goals.
Richards, 24, is a defender for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League with 35 appearances for the club. He also has 20 caps for the USMNT.
Racism toward soccer players worldwide has been a persistent issue over the years. Earlier this month, three men who made racist remarks and gestures toward Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. in May 2023 received eight-month prison sentences, per CNN.com.
