Los Angeles Galaxy and United States midfielder Sebastian Lamlet were fined and suspended for two games for using a homophobic term in Spanish in a video posted on their Instagram. The punishment was imposed by Major League Soccer (MLS).
Born in San Francisco and the son of Argentine parents, Lelegate would also have to “attend workshops on diversity, equity and inclusion,” the league said, which did not detail the amount of the fine.
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Los Angeles Galaxy and US team midfielder Sebastian Lellett, was punished with two suspension games in MLS for using the term homophobic in a post on social media – Photo: Michael Reeves / Getty Image
The player apologized for posting a video on Instagram on April 9, in which he uses the word “baby” after slapping a teammate Julian Araujo on his way to training. In a note, MLS accepted and thanked Lletget’s apology and responsibility.
– I take full responsibility and ownership for a very poor and poorly conceived phrase and I have no excuse for my actions. I am sorry and I know that the word has caused a lot of pain – the athlete said in a statement after deleting the video (Look below).
“Puto” is a Spanish word used as a crime against homosexuals. For Portuguese, it can be translated as “bicha”. The term is usually shouted by Latin fans, especially Mexicans, before the goalkeeper takes a goal kick. At the 2018 World Cup, Mexico was FIFA’s target for such behavior by its fans.
Lellet, 28, is part of the Galaxy since 2015, a team whose highlights include Mexican Xavier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Jonathan dos Santos.
The midfielder will miss the Los Angeles team in the next two MLS games on April 25 against the New York Red Bulls and May 2 against the Seattle Sounders.
