Disgraced Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir returns to the field following six-game suspension1

New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir took the field for the first time since receiving a six-game ban for a racist comment.

Vanzeir previously admitted that he called a referee a ‘monkey’ during a game earlier this season against the San Jose Earthquakes. Along with the six-game suspension he was also fined $10,000.

The Belgian striker said he meant it ‘in the sense of a clown, dummy’ after disagreeing with a call on the field.

Speaking to Sporza, 25-year-old Vanzeir – the record signing for the Red Bulls who only joined the team in February, said: ‘I’ll tell you exactly how it went.’

‘The referee blew his whistle for a foul, then I got into a discussion with him. Then I mumbled to myself about the ref. I said then monkey, but in the sense of clown, dummy. Because I thought he made the wrong decision.’

NYRB forward Dante Vanzeir is back on the field following his six-game suspension for racism

Vanzeir admits he called a referee a monkey at the end of a match earlier this season

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The 25-year-old, says he wants to rehabilitate his reputation and continue playing for the Red Bulls

‘It never occurred to me that that word would be offensive to one of my opponents. I whispered to myself and misunderstood the effect of that word. In our language, that word is often used with a purpose that is not even racist.’

At the time he was believed to have said this to Earthquake striker Jeremy Ebobisse, who said he heard the comment as the team walked off the field but did not believe the remark was directed at himself.

The incident led to a massive walkout from Red Bull supporters as former head coach Gerhard Struber handled the delicate situation as it played out in real time.

However, Vanzeir’s teammates unanimously voted for his return before the game.

“Yeah, I’d say it’s a process,” head coach Troy Lesesne said Friday. ‘It’s been a long process for Dante, for our club, for our supporters. The process is not being done by reintegration this weekend.’

Red Bulls fans protested against the team and its former coach Gerhard Struber’s handling of the situation when it happened.

Fans were not happy with the perceived lack of action from Struber when the incident occurred

‘In terms of his process, what I would like to talk to, that the process started with Dante, number one. Dante did a great job of admitting the mistake, owning the mistake, recognizing that it was a big mistake.’

‘There are consequences that have followed for himself, for our club, for our supporters, for San Jose. There are many parties involved in this and he owns up, maybe not right away, but soon after that to start this process towards healing.’

As for the game itself, Vanzeir had little impact after subbing for Corey Burke in the 67th minute of action.

In his 23 minutes of play, Vanzeir completed 62.5 percent of his passes and didn’t get off a single shot.