The Dutch supervisor is under investigation for what the MLS Players Association labelled’extremely inappropriate remarks’.
FC Cincinnati trainer Ron Jans has resigned from the group as the league investigates the alleged use of a racial slur from the team’s locker room.
Jans was hired by the team in August, replacing former Alan Koch as head coach of the then-first-year team.
The former PEC Zwolle, Heerenveen and Groningen boss was brought in as a”short-term alternative” after Koch’s passing, with his contract set to run through the end of the 2020 season.
In the middle of his first preseason with the club, Jans is set to resign from the group after a complaint was made by the Major League Soccer Players Association.
That criticism stated that Jans supposedly made”extremely inappropriate remarks” while calling for an investigation into the episode.
Based on the Athletic and the Cincinnati Enquirer, that criticism centers around the alleged use of a racial slur, with Jans asserting he was quoting lyrics a hip-hop tune.
“FC Cincinnati was founded and works with three core values: (1) being lively and family-friendly, (2) with a strong and visible presence in the area, and (3) winning on the field,” the team said in a statement.
“When club direction was made conscious of the allegation, we were quite surprised as building a caring and dedicated culture was a focal point of Ron’s leadership.
“We need to fully comprehend the nature of the incident and permit for an environment for our players to talk freely to some locker room difficulties. As a result, while both the Club and Major League Soccer work together, Ron will step away from the group during the investigation.
“While the investigation is undertaken, the Club is also committed to ensuring each member of the team includes a deeper appreciation and awareness of differences in backgrounds and cultures, and will institute training for each member of the organization.
“The Club will have no further comment on this matter until the decision of the joint evaluation with MLS.”
MLS included in a statement: “Major League Soccer has been informed of a complaint filed with the MLS Players Association regarding FC Cincinnati head coach Ron Jans. The MLS league office, in collaboration with FC Cincinnati, has started an investigation into the situation. Jans has resigned from his coaching duties with the group while this matter is being investigated.”
FC Cincy’s first MLS effort was a difficult one, with the club finishing last in MLS with 24 points and a negative-44 goal differential. Jans, who took control of the last 10 games, gathered a 1-5-4 record.
The club will start their MLS year on March 1 from the New York Red Bulls.
