The likely next TFC recruit is called Junior Flemmings. Damien Comolli and his teams would have unearthed this striker, rather left winger, in American D2, within the Birmingham Legion team. In 2019-2020, the Jamaican international played at Phoenix Rising FC and had been talked about as far as France because of a homophobic insult uttered during a championship match. Indeed, on October 1, 2020, during a match against the San Diego Loyal, Flemmings insulted his opponent. The victim’s teammates decided to leave the field and did not finish the game as they led 3-1.
It is a very strong image. The San Diego soccer team leaves the field as one man … for one man: Collin Martin, midfielder (# 17), openly gay, victim of a homophobic insult during a match against Phoenix. Respect. pic.twitter.com/lVU30PugYW
– ????????? ???? (@GuillaumeAuda) October 1, 2020
Collin Martin, the victim, explained this after the meeting: “An exchange between Junior Flemmings and I escalated to the point where he called me “Bati Boy”, which is a homophobic insult that can be translated as “queer”. During the next stoppage of play, I tried to tell the referee that I had received a homophobic insult, however he was wrong and thought I was telling him he was gay – hence the red card that I subsequently received in error. Once the situation had been clarified with the referee, and after explaining to the fourth referee and my coach what had happened, Flemmings came to tell me that he was aware of my “situation” (I am gay) and that he hadn’t insulted me. At this point it is clear to me that he was backing up and trying to deny what he said. Why would he say this insult to me if he knew I was gay?”.
For his part, Flemmings declared: “At no time did I utter a homophobic insult. I don’t know Collin personally, but I respect all my opponents equally, Collin included. I’m disappointed with the accusations from San Diego […] I was bullied and ridiculed without being able to defend myself.”
A survey was then carried out with eleven interviews with players, coaches and officials of this meeting. And the verdict was clear: six games of suspension for Junior Flemmings and a fine (amount not disclosed). The player was unable to take part in the play-offs of the American second division. His club had reacted in the following way by means of a press release: “Phoenix Rising accepts and supports the results of this investigation. These actions could not be more contrary to the core values of our organization, and we apologize to all who were affected.” Few weeks later, Flemmings changed club. “We believe that the second chance offers opportunities for growth”Birmingham Legion FC educators said upon signing. The player also apologized. Since then, in 2021, the striker has not made a wave and received only a small yellow card. Lynched on social networks following this event, he decided to quit Twitter and passed his Instagram account in private.
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