Hartford Athletic’s game with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC was abandoned in stoppage time at Trinity Health Stadium on Saturday night after Hartford players and coaches claimed a Pittsburgh player used racially insensitive language.
Hartford’s Marlon Hairston could be seen having an exchange with Pittsburgh captain Danny Griffin, after which Hairston began pleading with officials.
The match was delayed for almost 15 minutes while officials spoke with players and coaches before sounding the final whistle without continuing the remaining stoppage time. Soon after, fans were told to leave the stadium.
No cards were issued in the incident.
“Unfortunately due to an on field verbal exchange between a Pittsburgh and Hartford Athletic player, Hartford Athletic players and technical staff did not feel comfortable proceeding with the match,” the club said in a statement. “The club has requested the league conduct an investigation regarding the use of racially offensive language by a Pittsburgh player.”
“The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are aware of Hartford Athletic’s request for a USL investigation following tonight’s match. Our organization takes any allegation of discrimination or offensive language extremely seriously. At the same time, we stand by our players and firmly deny that such language was used. We will fully cooperate with the league’s investigation into the matter,” Pittsburgh said in a statement.
Pittsburgh was winning the match, 2-1, at the time.