The Major Soccer League says it is investigating reports of “antisemitic and discriminatory language” by CF Montreal fans directed at a player of the opposing team during a game on Saturday at Saputo Stadium.
In an email to CBC, the league said the remarks were directed at a New England Revolution player during the game, but did not provide further details.
The New England Revolution, however, identified the player as forward Dor Turgeman, who is Israeli, taking to social media Monday to strongly condemn “the antisemitic and discriminatory abuse directed at [him] by CF Montreal supporters during Saturday’s away match.”
The team added it immediately reported the matter to Major League Soccer, which also condemned the alleged incident.
A highlight reel of the game posted by the Réseau des sports, a French-language sports network, shows a moment where Turgeman scores a goal, after which he and other Revolution players begin taunting the home side’s supporters’ section.
Fans in the stands are seen gesticulating, shouting back and at least one person is seen throwing an object onto the pitch, all while Montreal goalkeeper Sebastian Breza initiates a scrum and draws a yellow penalty card.
Sports journalist Caleb Pongratz, who covers the New England Revolution, attended the Montreal game on Saturday. In a post on X that day, which had garnered over 76,000 views by Monday evening, Pongratz reported that people in the stands were shouting “a slew [of] insults” targeting Turgeman.
In a post on social media, CF Montreal said it “does not tolerate discrimination or hateful behaviour of any kind,” and is also looking into the matter.
“We are in contact with the MLS and the New England Revolution as we work to establish all the facts and take the necessary actions.”
In its statement, the MLS said it is “committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment for everyone, and hateful language has no place in our league or our sport.”
The league’s fan code of conduct states that such behaviour is prohibited and can be sanctioned. Depending on the severity of the infraction, penalties can vary from being ejected from a game to a minimum six-month ban on attending MLS games.
CF Montreal fan club 1642MTL also took to social media, calling out the alleged behaviour at Saputo Stadium.
“Such actions have no place in our stands, in our community or in soccer,” the statement posted to Facebook reads.
“We believe that passion for our club must always be expressed with respect for others.”
