A view of the stands before a pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on July 30, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Ira L. Black/Getty Images

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Ira L. Black/Getty Images

A view of the stands before a pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on July 30, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Ira L. Black/Getty Images

A Major League Soccer player allegedly made a racist comment during a game on Saturday night and the league is now investigating.

The matchup between the San Jose Earthquakes and New York Red Bulls has been halted after a player said he heard an opposing competitor use a racist epithet on the field.

“The racist comment was said. I don’t think it was meant for me,” Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse said in a post-game press conference without naming the other player.

“It’s also important to note that racial epithets, language, can’t be thrown in any direction, whether it’s at a black player or not, because that would open a lot of doors,” Ebobisse added.

MLS said in a statement that it would open an investigation into the incident and that the league has “zero tolerance for abusive and offensive language and takes these allegations seriously.”

The Red Bulls echoed that sentiment and said the club would cooperate with league research.

Earthquakes head coach Luchi González later said that he urged Red Bulls head coach Gerhard Struber to remove the player who allegedly made the racist comment from the game.

“I definitely stood by suggesting that the player should no longer be on the field,” Gonzalez said. “I know it’s an accusation, but I believe my players. I trust my players. If they say something, they are human beings of great character in front of professional footballers, so I trust it’s true.”

The game ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw.