Folarin Balogun took to social media to expose two racist messages he received after the defeat against Panama.
Several United States players were targeted with racist messages following the host nation's 2024 Copa América defeat against Panama (1-2) in the early hours of Friday, in the second round of Group C.
Folarin Balogun, who scored the only goal for the US team at 22 minutes, was one of the players subjected to these insults. He took to social media to expose two racist messages he received, one of which compared his parents to monkeys. Another message included the phrase, "F*** your mother."
According to local media, Timothy Weah, who was sent off with a direct red card at 18 minutes, and Chris Richards were other players who received similar messages, prompting a condemnatory reaction from the United States Soccer Federation.
"US Soccer is aware of and deeply disturbed by the racist comments made online and directed at several of our national team players following today's game. There is absolutely no place in this sport for such hateful and discriminatory behavior. These actions are not only unacceptable but also contrary to the values of respect and inclusion that we uphold as an organization. US Soccer stands firmly against any form of racism and will continue to support its players," read an official statement.
The racist incidents have sparked outrage among fans and the broader football community, highlighting the ongoing issue of discrimination in the sport. Many supporters and fellow players have rallied behind the affected players, expressing solidarity and condemning the actions of those responsible for the abuse.
The United States, hosts of this Copa América, are in second place in Group C, with the same three points as Panama (third), both trailing behind the leader Uruguay (six points), who defeated Bolivia (last, with zero points) last night. Despite the setback, the US team remains focused on their next match and is determined to advance to the knockout stages. The support from the federation and the football community at large is expected to bolster the team's morale as they navigate the challenges ahead in the tournament.
