San Diego Loyal walk off the pitch in protest of homophobic slur hurled in USL game

United Soccer League (USL) club San Diego Loyal made a bold decision to abandon their game against Phoenix Rising on Wednesday after Rising midfielder Junior Flemmings verbally abused openly-gay Loyal midfielder Collin Martin during the contest. San Diego Loyal were leading 3-1 at half-time and walked onto the pitch in the second period and waited for the second-half kickoff by Phoenix Rising before opting to leave the pitch in protest. After the game was forfeited, San Diego Loyal manager and former USMNT star, Landon Donovan, revealed that he backed his players standing in solidarity with Collin Martin. 

ALSO READ: Who Is Cole Palmer? Pep Guardiola Heaps Praise On Man City's 18-year-old Debutant

USL Championship: San Diego Loyal walk off the pitch after Phoenix Rising player hurls homophobic slur at Collin Martin

Landon Donovan's side were leading 3-1 against Phoenix Rising at half-time thanks to a brace from Rubio Rubin and an early strike from Miguel Berry. However, just before the half-time whistle, Loyal midfielder Collin Martin, the sole openly-gay player in the USL, received a red card and heard an alleged homophobic insult directed towards him by Phoenix midfielder Junior Flemmings while he was walking off the pitch. After the half-time break, San Diego Loyal players and staff - including their manager - returned to the pitch only to take a knee at the start of the second period before walking off the field. 

ALSO READ: Indian Football Team Wishes President Of India Ram Nath Kovind On His 75th Birthday

On Twitter, San Diego Loyal posted a message about the incident. "In the first half, a player from Phoenix Rising used a homophobic slur directed at Collin Martin and in response we have decided to walk off the pitch in protest. Enough is Enough. Spread Love. Not Hate." While the San Diego Loyal players were walking off the field of play, Donovan was seen debating the decision with opposition coach Rick Schantz. The game against Rising was Loyal's final fixture in their inaugural season in the second division of football in the USA.

ALSO READ: Chelsea Transfer News: Blues To Offer Two Players In Exchange For West Ham’s Declan Rice

The USL and Phoenix Rising released statements on Wednesday, stating they are both investigating the matter. Loyal's decision to walk off the pitch comes less than a week after they forfeited a point earned in a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy II following news that a racial slur was directed at one of their players. Galaxy defender Omar Ontiveros was fined, handed a six-game suspension by the league and eventually cut from the team's roster.

ALSO READ: Chelsea’s 20 Loaned Players Valued At £75m As Ross Barkley Makes Surprise Villa Move

Image Credits - Jon Kempin Twitter