Quote Originally Posted by delmbox View Post
I can already imagine how this thread will go but they walked off the pitch at HT because of the use of a homophobic slur, missing out on a chance of the playoffs in the process. Good on them, putting their money where their mouth is.

https://twitter.com/YahooSports/stat...907031552?s=20

https://twitter.com/theScore/status/...535287809?s=20
I follow Phoenix. I watched the game. I have no idea what actually transpired in terms of who said what.

Here's what actually happened though.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half Phoenix played the ball into SD penalty area and a Rising player went down theatrically. Ref declined to give a penalty. Ball was cleared. Moments later the ref stopped the game and gave the SD player involved in the penalty incident a red card. Complete confusion reigned. SD players surrounded the ref then Donovan came onto the pitch and remonstrated with the ref. The ref rescinded the red card - I have never seen that before. And why did the ref allow Donovan, the SD coach, onto the playing area with impunity? The half ended. Both teams trooped off. The two teams came on after the break. Ref gave Donovan a straight red (finally). Ref blew to start the second half with Phoenix in possession. SD just all took the knee, stood up and walked off. Game over. Phoenix awarded the points (I think) even though they were 3-1 down.

Rumours abound that Flemmings (arguably Phoenix' best player) uttered some homophobic trope in Jamaican patois. If he did, Phoenix should give them the points and discipline/get rid of him. If Schantz, the Phoenix coach, knew at the time he did it then he should go too.