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MLS investigates Nashville SC's Patrick Yazbek and offensive language

Major League Soccer is investigating an incident involving Nashville SC midfielder Patrick Yazbek that occurred during Nashville's 2-0 home loss to Austin FC on Saturday.

“Nashville SC is aware of the allegations that have emerged relating to the use of offensive language by one of our players,” Nashville SC said in a statement. “The club is in close contact with Major League Soccer and other relevant parties and will not comment further until the league has completed its investigation into the incident.”

Yazbek, an Australian international making his MLS debut, fouled Austin FC midfielder Owen Wolff as he chased a ball in the 30th minute. On his way back across the field, Yazbek appeared to say something to either Wolff or Austin defender Dani Pereira, who was also in the area.

Although no lengthy altercation occurred between Yazbek and any Austin player, referee Rosendo Mendoza stopped play and called Nashville captain Walker Zimmerman and Austin captain Alex Ring together. Mendoza also spoke with Nashville coach BJ Callaghan and Austin coach Josh Wolff during the stoppage.

Play resumed six minutes later with Yazbek coming off for Jonathan Pérez.

Josh Wolff, Owen Wolff's father, told reporters after the game that he did not know what Yazbek said or who he spoke to.

“The referee took care of it, the game protocol was followed and from here on out, the league takes over,” Josh Wolff said. “We talked on the sidelines about what was needed and now they're going to be reaching out to the players and teams and trying to get all the microphones, etc. that they can get a hold of.”

Austin took the lead shortly after with a goal from Jon Gallagher and Osman Bukari scored late in the second half, sending Nashville (6-12-8, 26 points) to its seventh consecutive league loss.

Callaghan felt the incident affected Nashville SC for the rest of the game, but still praised his other players for their “effort”.

“I think a lot happened in the first 30 minutes of the game,” Callaghan said. “…You have to adapt and make positional changes on the spot and that shakes up the group sometimes. Overall, I thought there was a period where we had to reorient ourselves and get used to it and the guys responded brilliantly from then on.”

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Jacob Shames can be reached via email at [email protected] and on Twitter at @Jacob_Shames.

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