(Miami) New York Red Bulls Belgian striker Dante Vanzeir has been suspended for six games for making racist remarks during a game, MLS announced Thursday.

The 24-year-old striker, who arrived in the United States in early February from Union Saint-Gilloise, apologized on Monday. After the game against the San Jose Earthquakes, forward Jeremy Ebobisse claimed that an opponent had made racist comments against him, without revealing the identity of the player in question.

“I made a mistake, I will follow all the steps that will allow me to grow,” Vanzeir said.

The Red Bulls have “unreservedly apologized for these unacceptable events”.

Vanzeir, who was also fined, will also have to attend training and education sessions, or participate in “restorative practice programs”, added MLS.

The case caused a stir in Belgium. The one who wore the Red Devils jersey once received the support of his former Union Saint-Gilloise teammates.

“I don’t know what happened, but at the Union we know that Dante is a good, kind and well-mannered boy,” team captain Teddy Teuma from Malta told local media. for whom Vanzeir “is not racist”.