The sports day: long suspension for homophobic insults – ex-Bayern professional was "freaked out"

Landon Donovan (back) reacted consistently with his team to a homophobic incident.

(Photo: imago images / ZUMA Press)

Professional soccer player Junior Flemmings from the US second division club Phoenix Rising has been banned for six games after his homophobic statements in the game against San Diego Loyal. The United Soccer League announced on Tuesday. Flemmings used "disgusting and insulting language in the form of homophobic slurs" against the loyal player Collin Martin, it said.

The players from San Diego, team of the former Bayern striker Landon Donovan, had left the pitch after the incident and had thus provoked the game to be abandoned. "We swore to ourselves, our community, the players, the club and the USL that we would not stand for intolerance, homophobic abuse and other things that are not part of our game," said Donovan, who is also vice president of the club is. When he heard of the homophobic insult, "I freaked out," Donovan said angrily immediately after the game.

Flemmings had vehemently denied having insulted Martin, who had come out as homosexual. "I don't know Collin personally, but I respect all of my opponents equally, including Collin," said the Jamaican.