Former Newcastle United star issues passionate response to racial allegations in MLS game

Former Newcastle United defender DeAndre Yedlin has delivered an emotional response to allegations an Inter Miami team-mate was subjected to racist abuse at the weekend.

The United States international was in action when Damion Lowe clashed with DC United striker Taxi Fountas, who was accused of using racist language in the aftermath of the incident.

Inter manager Phil Neville and his DC United counterpart and former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney were called on to the pitch by referee Ismail Elfath to discuss the allegation.

Former England captain Rooney opted to substitute Fountas and play resumed but it providing an unwelcome talking point after the game, with former United defender Yedlin describing the situation as ‘a really dark time’.

He told the club website: “I think it gives you perspective on life and just that there are things more important than what we’re doing. At the end of the day, all of the guys that I’m playing with are not just my team-mates, they’re human.

“They’re not just humans, they’re my brothers and as brothers and family, sometimes you have to go through adversity to realise how much you truly love each other. The way everyone banded together, you could really tell we genuinely are a family, and we genuinely do care about each other.

“At the end of the day, I think we’ll be stronger from this. Unfortunately, things like this have to happen to sometimes get to that point.

“But I think we’ll come back from stronger from this. This is a really dark time, and we have to try and do our best to get past it.”

Fountas has denied the allegation made towards him as the MLS have confirmed they have launched an investigation into the incident.