Kai Wagner suspended three games for slur directed at Bobby Wood

MLS suspended Philadelphia Union left back Kai Wagner for three matches following a racial incident during a playoff match against the New England Revolution on Oct. 28.

In announcing the suspension Tuesday, MLS said Wagner violated the league’s “on-field anti-discrimination policy” when he directed a slur at New England’s Bobby Wood.

Wagner, who is White, faced a longer suspension, but MLS said it considered several factors, including his admission of directing the slur, in German, at Wood, who is of Black and Asian descent. Wood, a former U.S. national team forward who spent most of his career in the German leagues, is fluent in German.

Wagner will miss Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal Wednesday and, should New England even the series at home, would also sit out the deciding third match Sunday in Chester, Pa. A Philadelphia victory Wednesday would prevent him from playing in the one-game conference semifinal Nov. 25 or 26 and possibly the conference final in early December.

Should the Union be eliminated in fewer than three games, the suspension would carry over to next season. But Wagner’s contract expires this winter, and he probably will return to Europe after five standout seasons with Philadelphia.

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The 26-year-old German, who has five goals and 39 assists in 138 regular season appearances, has been selected to two all-star teams and named to the 2022 all-league squad.

MLS said Wagner is required to “continue to participate in league-mandated education and training sessions, a process which has already begun, and must remain in full compliance with a program directed by a league-appointed restorative practices expert.”

In April, MLS banned New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir for six matches for racially abusing San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse. In August, D.C. United parted ways with Taxi Fountas after the Greek forward was accused for the second time in less than a year of using a racial slur. He denied the allegations.