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Portland Timbers say racial slur during U.S. Open Cup ‘simply didn’t happen,’ LAFC fires back

The Portland Timbers and Los Angeles FC each issued statements Friday regarding the investigation into whether a Portland player directed a racial slur toward LAFC’s Adama Diomande during their July 18 U.S. Open Cup match.

The U.S Open Cup Adjudication & Discipline Panel closed the investigation Thursday, saying there was “insufficient evidence” and there may have been a misunderstanding between players due to loud noise and multiple languages being spoken.

The Timbers said the incident never actually took place, while LAFC defended Diomande and expressed disappointment in Portland’s statement.

“There was a thorough investigation into the alleged incident from our U.S. Open Cup game with LAFC on July 18, which included the accounts of multiple third-party players and officials in the immediate vicinity, and there is no corroboration that the incident occurred,” the Timbers statement said. “It is our strong belief that the alleged incident at the U.S. Open Cup match as depicted by the opposing player simply did not happen.

“It is regrettable that there was even a suggestion of any wrongdoing by a Portland Timbers player, but we are pleased that ultimately due process was observed. We stand unequivocally behind our players and are deeply grateful for the unparalleled support of our fans.”

LAFC responded with, “We respect the U.S. Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel process and their thorough investigation. LAFC accepts U.S. Soccer’s finding that the matter was inconclusive based on insufficient evidence and did not have a basis to value the credibility of one player over another in this matter. We are disappointed that the Portland Timbers issued a statement that was dismissive of our player and the investigation by concluding it ‘simply did not happen.’

“We stand by Adama Diomande and his courageous public statement.”