Rowdies Statement on USL Suspension of Laurence Wyke
October 10, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
The Tampa Bay Rowdies have been and always will be an organization that has a zero-tolerance policy against racism of any kind. We take the allegations against Laurence Wyke very seriously which is why we are appealing this suspension.
The USL has rushed to a conclusion and issued a statement without providing us the full report. This decision to suspend Laurence Wyke for an unprecedented 12 games, double the amount of any previous suspension of this kind, is unbecoming of the league and sets a dangerous standard for all players.
We all know that there was a heated match between the two clubs last weekend and tensions rose after the match concluded. Words and gestures were exchanged. However, we dispute that there was any racial intent behind what Laurence did that evening. There certainly was no racial abuse by Laurence.
We stand behind Laurence because there is zero audio or visual evidence suggesting he behaved in a racist manner. We stand behind Laurence because several Rowdies staff and players witnessed the events and confirmed the same.
Most importantly, we stand behind Laurence because we know him to be a thoughtful individual, a caring teammate, and a person who stands firmly against racism of any kind. He is appropriately devastated by these allegations and remorseful that his actions have been interpreted to be racially insensitive.
If any of us at the Rowdies – coaches, teammates, executives – believed there to be any racial intent behind his actions, he would not have a spot on our roster.
It is possible for us to support Laurence while simultaneously appreciating and understanding that Monterrey FC has a different interpretation of the events that evening. This happens in soccer – and in life – on a frequent basis.
When we see things differently, it is crucial that we try to come together and understand one another and our intentions. We are all at our best when we give our competition the benefit of the doubt, when we trust in their intentions, and provide ample space for forgiveness and understanding.
There is an opportunity to do that here. Laurence Wyke and the Rowdies are deeply sorry that his gestures mimicking the goal he scored on a header came across as racially insensitive, and we will do better next time.
We are all on the same side of this issue; and we are deeply troubled that the USL is not able to see as much.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
