MLS investigation finds Andrew Putna guilty of ‘derogatory remarks’

Major League Soccer concluded its investigation regarding a report about comments made by Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Andrew Putna on Thursday night. 

The club received a report on October 14th that Putna made derogatory remarks about a teammate’s national origin during training, and the findings were confirmed in the investigation.

“The MLS investigation confirmed those allegations, finding that Putna did make derogatory remarks referencing another player’s ethnicity,” the league said in a statement.

“During the pendency of the investigation, Putna was separated from the team and prohibited from engaging in team activities for a timeframe that included two match dates.”

Putna will be required to attend diversity and inclusion training prior to engaging in any future team activities, according to MLS, which includes all matches and training sessions.

The report did not mention the player who was the target of Putna’s remarks, however, the initial report from SB Nation’s RSL Soapbox reported that the words were targeted at RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa, who is Mexican-American.

Putna has made two starts for the club this season, allowing eight goals in 225 minutes with six saves. 

Real Salt Lake will face Seattle Sounders FC in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday, November 23rd.