Update, April 23, 3p.m. ET: Sebastian Lletget has been suspended two matches by Major League Soccer and fined. This post has been edited to remove suggestions that MLS has abandoned its zero-tolerance policy toward gay slurs. It has not.
Sebastian Lletget was cleared to play this past weekend in the season opener for the LA Galaxy after the US Men’s National Team player called a teammate a gay slur.
A Galaxy spokesperson told Outsports, “Per MLS, he is cleared to play this weekend.”
Outsports reached out to a Major League Soccer spokesperson but has not yet received a response.
A week ago, Lletget called teammate Julian Araujo a gay slur in Spanish, recorded it, and posted it to Instagram. When Outsports contacted the Galaxy about the incident, Lletget deleted the Instagram story and call Outsports to apologize. He later released an apology.
The Galaxy have repeatedly declined to publicly explain how it is handling the matter, saying the club is handling it “internally.”
MLS has said it has a “zero tolerance policy” toward gay slurs. The league and various clubs have previously taken action against players and fans, issuing suspensions and removing people from matches.
Editor’s Note: With Lletget in action. the Galaxy defeated Inter Miami 3-2 on Sunday. Their next match is Sunday, April 25, vs. the New York Red Bulls.
