Nashville SC’s Patrick Yazbek issued two-match league suspension for violating Non-Discrimination Policy

This is a developing story. The original story published August 26 can be read at the bottom of this post, with the most recent updates towards the top.

UPDATED THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 10:26 am CT: Nashville SC’s original supporters group, The Roadies, released a statement on Thursday morning.

“The roadies are extremely disappointed to learn the confirmed language used by Patrick Yazbek during the game against Austin FC,” it reads. “We stand against bigotry in all its forms. We hope that the education programs set forth by the league will prove useful and encourage Patrick to connect with local organizations like our partners at the oasis center to help further reinforce the significance of how damaging hate speech can be and what a positive positive difference a little time volunteering can make.”

UPDATED WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 8:23 pm CT: OutSports‘ Jon Holmes has reported that Patrick Yazbek used an anti-gay slur on the field against Austin, resulting in the substitution and his ensuing two-match suspension.

UPDATED THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 4:04 pm CT: Major League Soccer announced Thursday that Nashville SC midfielder Patrick Yazbek has been issued a two-match suspension for violating the league’s Non-Discrimination Policy during their match against Austin FC. From their release:

Yazbek will be unavailable for Nashville’s upcoming regular season matches against Orlando City SC (August 31) and Atlanta United (September 14).

Yazbek is also required to participate in a restorative practice program.  

In making decisions under this Policy, MLS considers many factors, including the player’s immediate acceptance of responsibility for harm caused by the misconduct, eagerness to begin a process to repair it, and cooperation with the league’s review.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2:13 pm CT: Nashville SC midfielder Patrick Yazbek is the subject of an investigation by Major League Soccer resulting from an incident during Nashville’s 2-0 loss to Austin FC on Saturday.

The Austrialian international midfielder, who was making his MLS debut after arriving via transfer from Norwegian outfit Viking FK, was substituted out of the match in the 37th minute after a lengthy discussion between referee Rosendo Mendoza and both sets of captains and coaches. Immediately Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan’s post-match media availability, Nashville released a statement.

“Nashville SC is aware of the allegations that have surfaced regarding the use of offensive language by one of our players,” it said. “The club is in close communication with Major League Soccer and other relevant parties and will refrain from making any further comments until the league concludes its investigation into the incident.”

Yazbek was whistled for a foul on Austin’s Owen Wolff in the 30th minute, exchanging words with Wolff and Austin midfielder Dani Pereira. Yazbek appeared to briefly shake hands with Wolff before resuming his position, but Mendoza paused the game to conference with Nashville captain Walker Zimmerman and Austin captain Alex Ring. It’s unclear if Mendoza himself heard the comments or, if a player alerted him, who it was.

After an extended discussion with the captains, Mendoza went to the touchline and spoke to Callaghan and Austin head coach Josh Wolff, along with fourth official Lukasz Szpala and the on-site match manager. After another extended discussion, play resumed in the 37th minute, with Yazbek being substituted for winger Jonny Pérez. Yazbek spent the remainder of the first half on the bench with the rest of the team, but did not return from the locker room for the second half.

Nashville did not comment on the incident in their post-match media availability and requested that media members refrain from asking Callaghan questions about the incident, instead deferring them to the statement and citing the ongoing investigation.

Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff did comment in his post-match press conference.

“I think the match official took care of it. There’s protocol, and the league takes it from here,” he said when asked to provide clarity on the incident. “We talked about it on the sideline and what was needed took place, and they’ll follow it up with players and teams and any microphones and so forth that they need to get a hold of.”

“There’s protocols in place. This has happened before,” he said. “We’ve met as coaches, we’ve met as organizations about how to help this process, whatever it is that happens on the field with players, with coaches, to protect players and protect organizations and coaches.”

“The match official informed both sides about what was said, or what was allegedly said,” he continued. “From there, there’s a pretty simple protocol and the protocol was followed. We ended up getting through it pretty quickly, and they’ll continue to finish it out from the league side.”

Nashville SC play Orlando City on Saturday night at 7:30. It’s not clear if MLS’s investigation will be complete by that point, but it’s likely initial information will be made public, if for no other reason than to clarify Yazbek’s situation prior to the match.

This is a developing story and will be updated as news is available.