After Copa America hosts USA’s 2-1 defeat to Panama, red-ball offender Timothy Weah was the main target of racist hostility. The striker himself also wrote a statement
Hosts USA are threatened with elimination from the Copa America after the group stage. After the 2:1 defeat against Panama on Friday night (CEST), however, it was not just sporting matters that had to be dealt with: Several US national team players became the target of racist comments online after their performance in Atlanta.
In a statement, the US association said it was “deeply disturbed” by the hostility. “There is absolutely no place in soccer for such hateful and discriminatory behavior. These actions are not only unacceptable, but also contradict the values of respect and inclusion that we represent as an organization.” The association has a “clear stance against all forms of racism” and will “continue to support the players”.
The South American soccer association CONMEBOL, which organizes the Copa America and to which the US association reported the incidents, responded with a similar statement. “We condemn intolerant behavior in any place and on any occasion, especially that which hides behind social media accounts,” it said, among other things. The extent to which attempts are being made to track down the perpetrators remained unclear.
Weah apologizes for red card
First and foremost – but not only – Timothy Weah experienced racism after he was sent off in the 18th minute of the game in Atlanta for an assault. Although his team then took the lead, they lost 2:1 while short-handed and will have to fear for their progress in the final group matchday against Panama.
“No matter what happens, I will always fight for my team and my country until the day I am no longer needed or no longer able to,” the 24-year-old Juventus attacker wrote on his social media channels after the match. “I sincerely apologize to everyone. My love for this team goes beyond soccer and I’m so sad and angry with myself for putting my brothers through what they had to go through tonight.”
Weah is the son of former world footballer George Weah, who was president of Liberia for six years until last January.
