COLUMBUS CREW

Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez suspended one game for use of offensive language

Bailey Johnson
The Columbus Dispatch
Sep 18, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez (9) reacts to a missed shot during the first half of the MLS game against the Portland Timbers at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

The Columbus Crew will be without Cucho Hernandez on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls as the striker serves a one-game suspension for use of offensive language.

Major League Soccer announced Hernandez's suspension Friday evening as the result of language he used during the Crew's last game against the Portland Timbers on Sept. 18. The league's release said that after Hernandez's arrival from Watford in late June, he was not provided with the league-mandated training on prohibited language that is required after a player joins an MLS team.

A team spokesperson clarified that it was the Crew's responsibility to provide Hernandez with the training. Statements from Hernandez and Crew general manager Tim Bezbatchenko indicate that Hernandez's remark was directed at a Portland player.

"We understand the league’s ruling and fully cooperated to address the important matter as soon as it was brought to our attention," Bezbatchenko said. "We are disappointed that our player used disrespectful and offensive language directed to an opponent and we will take this as an opportunity to better educate our players and learn from this. Cucho expressed immediate remorse for his unacceptable language choice and volunteered to apologize to the Timbers organization and participate in sensitivity training. This is a vital stretch of the season and we are confident in our group and will turn our focus to continuing to prepare for the next three matches."

Hernandez's suspension is not unprecedented in MLS. In 2018, three players received three-game suspensions for offensive language. This season, also on Sept. 18, a game between D.C. United and Inter Miami CF was briefly stopped after a D.C. United player allegedly directed a racial slur at an Inter Miami player. MLS released a statement after the match that the incident was under investigation.

Hernandez will be eligible to return for the Crew's final two games of the regular season, against Charlotte FC on Oct. 5 and against Orlando City FC on Oct. 9.

"I accept the outcome of the league’s ruling and sincerely apologize for the harmful language I used during our recent match against the Portland Timbers," Hernandez said. "I understand that my language was unacceptable and plan to reach out to the Timbers organization and the player to offer my apologies and fully intend to learn from this situation. I also apologize to my teammates and our fans as this is a critical time of the season." 

Sep 18, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernandez (9) waits on the sideline to return after being examined for a head injury during the first half of the MLS game against the Portland Timbers at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

bjohnson@dispatch.com

@BaileyAJohnson_

Get more Columbus Crew news by listening to our podcasts