Four months after Major League Soccer reopened an investigation into alleged discriminatory behavior by Union sporting director Ernst Tanner, there is finally a verdict, and a punishment.<\/p>\n
The league suspended Tanner without pay through June 1, and barred him from further employment in MLS until he completes a league-approved restorative practices program.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on new information obtained during outside counsel\u2019s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of league and club leadership,\u201d a league statement said Monday.<\/p>\n
The Union said the club \u201csupports\u201d the league\u2019s ruling, and did not add any of its own further discipline.<\/p>\n
A statement from the club said: \u201cThe Union will evaluate the best and appropriate structure for the organization following the disciplinary process.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Union also circulated a statement from Tanner that indicated he intends to return to his job in the future. But they did not offer any direct apology to people whom he offended. <\/p>\n
Nor did the team or MLS say whether Tanner has started the restorative practices program. <\/p>\n
\u201cI regret the impact that this situation has had on the Philadelphia Union organization and its supporters,\u201d Tanner said. \u201cI remain proud of my work with the Philadelphia Union and look forward to my return and future work with the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jon Scheer, the director of academy and professional development who has been the public face of the front office during the investigation, is serving as the interim sporting director.<\/p>\n
In November, a report by the U.S. sports section of England\u2019s Guardian newspaper<\/a> unveiled accusations against Tanner of years of accusations of racist, sexist, and homophobic behavior<\/a> toward a range of people in American soccer.<\/p>\n At the time, MLS said it had launched an investigation right after receiving a complaint from the MLS Players Association, and the Union placed Tanner on administrative leave.<\/p>\n The Guardian reported that \u201cTanner was never placed on leave after the investigation began in January because MLS couldn\u2019t corroborate the claims against him,\u201d and that the investigation had been closed within the last few weeks of the report\u2019s publication. That report also said the league \u201cfound the alleged behavior, if true, to be unacceptable\u201d and \u201ca clear violation of league policy.\u201d<\/p>\n