MLS investigating LA Galaxy's Sebastian Lletget for anti-gay slur on Instagram
L.A. Galaxy and U.S. men's national team member Sebastian Lletget is under investigation after posting a video of himself and a teammate in which he uses an anti-gay slur.
Lletget apologized and removed the video from his Instagram account after Outsports first reported its existence and contacted the Galaxy and USMNT for comment.
The Galaxy released a statement expressing support for the LGBTQ+ community and saying it planned to handle the matter internally. MLS said it was aware of the incident and will open an investigation.
"Major League Soccer is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and we have no tolerance for discrimination and prejudice of any kind," the league said in a statement.
The video showed Lletget walking up behind Galaxy teammate Julian Araujo, slapping him on the neck and using the slur in Spanish.
In a statement to Outsports, Lletget admitted that he had "messed up" in posting the video.
"I take full responsibility and ownership on what was an extremely poor and ill-thought phrase and have no excuse for my actions. I am sorry and know the pain that this term has caused for so many," he said.
Lletget, 28, has played for the Galaxy since 2015 and has been a member of the USMNT since 2017.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sebastian Lletget under MLS investigation for using anti-gay slur
