Published 16:19 IST, September 2nd 2020
Real Salt Lake controversy: MLS club’s former employees reveal sexist, racist work culture
Former and current employees at Real Salt Lake have revealed the toxic culture at the MLS club under the ownership of billionaire Dell Loy Hansen.
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Real Salt Lake controversy made headlines over past week after it was reported that MLS side was under investigation following sexist and racist allegations made against executives at club. Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen has also come under scrutiny for failing to back his team after y refused to play ir game against LAFC on Wednesday, in protest of Jacob Blake's shooting. On Sunday, it was confirmed that Hansen had put his MLS team up for sale after he felt "disrespected" following his players refusing to take pitch against LAFC.
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Real Salt Lake controversy: Employees at RSL reveal 'toxic' culture under Dell Loy Hansen
According to reports from Athletic, interviews with employees and former employees at Real Salt Lake highlighted sexism and belittling behaviour that was often spotted during interactions with certain members of leadership at organization. Former Real Salt Laker reporter Rebecca Cade revealed how her physical appearance was openly discussed by male senior executives at organization, including Andy Carroll, who has recently taken a leave of absence from his role as club's chief business officer. Cade was asked to describe her time working at Real Salt Lake franchise after being sacked in 2018 and she admitted that it was a 'toxic culture'.
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Ar former employee added that sexism wasn't only issue staff allegedly had to face during ir employment, as 'toxic' culture set by Hansen and Carroll often made m work long and difficult hours without any sort of compensation. Reports also claimed that Dell Loy Hansen and Andy Carroll would often yell at ir staff, making m feel insignificant and n threaten m if y failed to perform ir respective duties. Some employees labelled Real Salt Lake owner Hansen a 'racist', claiming that American businessman was often heard making racist comments, unfazed by current Black Lives Matter campaign in country.
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Real Salt Lake controversy: Dell Loy Hanse puts club up for sale
On Thursday, Hansen claimed that he felt disrespected by his players for t taking pitch for ir game against LAFC on August 26. RSL defender Nedum Onuoha n spoke to BBC World and revealed that he was disinterested in playing for an owner who failed to support his players. On Sunday, MLS issued an investigation into Real Salt Lake controversies and just a few hours later, Hansen put his team up for sale.
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Im Credits - AP
16:19 IST, September 2nd 2020