American soccer team walk off pitch after opposing player allegedly used homophobic slur

The team are managed by ex-Everton and LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan.

On Wednesday night, American soccer side San Diego Loyal walked off the pitch during their match against Phoenix Rising after a player suffered alleged homophobic abuse by an opponent. San Diego Loyal play in the USL Championship in the second tier of American soccer, one rung below the MLS. They were 3-1 up against Phoenix Rising when midfielder Collin Martin is said to have suffered homophobic abuse. https://twitter.com/SanDiegoLoyal/status/1311506243832274944?s=20 In protest, the team walked off the pitch at the beginning of the second half. They first took the knee, then proceeded to walk off down the tunnel. The match did not continue. Loyal boss Landon Donovan said: "At the end of the first half, Collin came over after he had somehow been red carded. He told the fourth official he had been abused with a homophobic slur by one of their players." https://twitter.com/DSmithShow/status/1311511548565749760 Collin Martin came out as gay in 2018 while playing for MLS side Minnesota United. This made him the only 'out' male player in any top-tier professional football league. https://twitter.com/SanDiegoLoyal/status/1311506608690614274?s=20 After the match, San Diego Loyal released a statement through the USL Championship. In it, they said: San Diego boss Landon Donovan said the team made the right decision. https://twitter.com/SanDiegoLoyal/status/1311553192711184385?s=20 "We've been through a lot recently. "We owe it to ourselves, our community, our players, to the club, to USL - that we would not stand for bigotry, homophobic slurs - things that don't belong in our game."