The Colorado Rapids issued a full statement Wednesday condemning a homophobic chant clearly heard inside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and on the national Apple TV broadcast in last Saturday’s home opener against Sporting Kansas City.
“As a club that prides itself on its inclusive values and providing a safe and welcoming environment for all, we were incredibly disappointed to learn that the detestable ‘p-chant’ emerged during our game on Saturday. We condemn the use of this word in the strongest possible terms — it has no place within our sport or community, let alone at our stadium,” the statement read.
“We do not take this matter lightly and have begun an internal review that is being carried out by senior leadership from the club and KSE.”
The statement went on to say that the team is working on “exploring every avenue to ensure that this chant is eradicated from our stadium” and it is working with various supporters groups to prevent the chant from being said again on stadium grounds.
Following the game Saturday, a team official issued a brief statement to The Post saying it was aware and Major League Soccer had notified the team it had come through clearly on the broadcast. The chant was heard on goal kicks by Sporting Kansas City’s goalkeeper John Pulskamp in the second half. Arguably the loudest was heard as the final whistle sounded and remained in the match recap highlight distributed by the league and Apple.
World governing soccer body FIFA has tried to stamp out the chant, which has long been associated with Mexican soccer, and at the national team level. As such, actions such as halting play when it’s heard, or playing games behind closed doors have been recent punishments for the Mexican national team. In fact, a Mexican national team match at Empower Field was halted two years ago when fans began doing the chant.
However, on Saturday, no actions were taken by referee Alan Chapman.
On Monday, Centennial 38, the supporters section that is based in the South End of the stadium where the chants originated from, issued its own statement.
“Unfortunately, the actions of a few tainted our evening by trying to bring back a chant which C38 and the Mile High Lokos had worked so hard to eradicate, with success, years ago.
“Although none of the folks identified Saturday night in and around our sections were members of Mile High Lokos or C38, we take full responsibility, as it, in part, happened in our house.”
The statement went on to say that they’re encouraging supporters to speak up and tell security, field marshals or others tied with the club if the chant is heard, and immediate action will result in ejections, stadium bans and other privileges revoked.
“We all have to do better to keep hateful speech in its place, not in our home.”
The Post reached out to Major League Soccer to see what additional actions, if any, were taken from the league and officials regarding protocol, but as of print time did not hear back.
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