Hartford Athletic makes allegation of 'racially offensive language' by Riverhounds player

A USL Championship soccer match between the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Hartford Athletic was halted with time left on the clock Saturday night after a Hartford player accused a Riverhounds player of using “racially offensive language.”

After regulation time had expired but with stoppage time left on the clock, Hartford midfielder Marlon Hairston reportedly had a verbal confrontation with Riverhounds captain Danny Griffin.

Referees held discussions with both coaches and sounded the final whistle to indicate the game, led 2-1 by the Riverhounds, was over.

After the game, Hartford Athletic issued a statement.

“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 this evening,” the statement read. “The club has requested the league to conduct an investigation regarding the use of racially offensive language by a Pittsburgh player.”

The statement did not specify Griffin as the target of the allegations.

The Riverhounds quickly responded with a statement of their own.

“The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are aware of Hartford Athletic’s request for a USL investigation following tonight’s match. Our organization takes any allegation of discriminatory or offensive language extremely seriously,” it read. “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.”

As for the game itself, Chase Boone scored out a goalmouth scramble in the 89th minute to give the Riverhounds an apparent 2-1 victory.

The sixth-place Riverhounds (9-9-7) are one point behind fifth-place Hartford (10-10-5) in the USL Championship Eastern Conference standings. The Hounds are 3-3-3 in their last nine games.

Charles Ahl gave the Riverhounds a 1-0 lead in the third minute. Hartford couldn’t clear a lob into the box and Ahl buried a shot from in front. Adrian Diaz Pe tied the score for Hartford on a header off a corner kick in the 17th minute.

The Riverhounds return home to host the Las Vegas Lights next Saturday at Highmark Stadium.