The Marblehead (Mass.) Youth Soccer Association sent a letter to players and families on Friday addressing a recent incident in which both spectators and athletes were found to be directing racial slurs at opponents.
According to the Marblehead Current, opponents reported the situation to the MYSA Board.
“The reports from our opponents of this situation are difficult to read,” MYSA officials said in the letter. “They make us sad and embarrassed… There is no place in youth sports, or in our society, for comments that attack a human being’s race or belonging. Similarly, there is no place for foul language.”
MYSA is a non-profit organization with soccer programming for youth athletes ages K-12. The organization sponsors a traveling soccer team for competitive youth athletes as well as recreational programming and clinics for basic skill development. Recently celebrating 50 years as an organization, MYSA includes more than 900 youth athletes.
“As a community we need to focus on what we can control,” MYSA officials said. “Clearly our own behavior is within our control. Going forward, we ask that all players, coaches and spectators be cognizant of their own behavior and be sure that it is maintained to a standard that you would be proud to see on video. MYSA leadership is treating all of these incidents with the utmost seriousness. In accordance with our Zero-Tolerance Policy, MYSA has implemented measures to facilitate learning from these incidents and to prevent any future recurrence.”
On MYSA’s website, there is a page dedicated to the group’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging values. It reads, “We’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to play, grow, lead, and thrive.”
Neither MYSA nor the reporting opponent have provided additional details on the incident or what disciplinary measures have been taken.
