P.E.I. soccer player alleges on-field racism by official in Division 1 finals

A soccer player on P.E.I. is speaking out about what he characterizes as a racist incident during a Division 1 senior finals game earlier this month.

The game took place at the University of Prince Edward Island soccer field on Aug. 7, between the mens' teams TSI (which stands for The Soccer Initiative) and The Local FC (short for Football Club). Most of the players on TSI are Black.

Daniel Ohaegbu, who plays for TSI, said tensions were already running high during the game when he was hit in the chest by one of the officials.

"I was slapped and pushed by an assistant referee, but I would like to point out that this is not just about me. This is an accumulation of racist events that have been happening for the past, in my opinion, 10 years," said Ohaegbu.

Charlottetown Police were called to the scene, but a spokesperson told CBC News the situation had calmed down by the time officers arrived and no charges were laid.

CBC News reached out to the coach of The Local FC, the team TSI was facing in the Aug. 7 game, but did not receive a response.

Allegations of on-field racism were brought forward in 2021, but the P.E.I. Soccer Association said they couldn't be substantiated.

'Take it outside of the pitch'

Ohaegbu said there have been other more recent incidents, some involving officials, which he and some of his teammates believe were racially motivated.

For example, he said that at a game involving the club's Division 2 team last year, a referee told one of the players "he's ready to take it outside of the pitch," which the TSI player considered an invitation to fight.

A number of the players from TSI (The Soccer Initiative) kick a ball around the grounds of an apartment building in Charlottetown. (Tony Davis/CBC)

Ohaegbu said when a complaint was filed with P.E.I. Soccer about the comment, the association said there was nothing it could do because it is short of referees.

In another alleged incident, Ohaegbu said an adult referee grabbed a 17-year-old player by the shirt.

"The officials continue to target Black and Brown men and this association does nothing about it," Ohaegbu said.

'Zero tolerance for any type of abuse'

No one with P.E.I. Soccer was made available in response to an interview request from CBC News, but in an email the organization said it's investigating the Aug. 7 incident.

"As set out in our abuse policy, P.E.I. Soccer has zero tolerance for any type of abuse," the email said.

"The allegations of discrimination and abuse are troubling. Such conduct has no place in our game. P.E.I. Soccer has suspended several individuals who are allegedly involved in the incident, pending the outcome of our disciplinary process.

"To protect the integrity of the ongoing process, we are unable to provide any further comment regarding matters that are pending before a discipline committee."

This statement, signed by P.E.I. Soccer Association president Lori Lund, was issued on Thursday. (Submitted)

Some of the players suspended were from the TSI team, including Ibrahima Sanoh, captain of the organization's senior team.

While Sanoh understands being suspended from playing, he said he racked up no violations in the game and is upset his suspension also prevents him from coaching youth.

"Do your investigation," he challenged the association. "I won't train, I won't play, but why suspend me from coaching? I am trying to share my ability and my knowledge of soccer to improve soccer on the Island."

Ibrahima Sanoh, captain of the TSI senior team, says he was one of the people suspended by P.E.I. Soccer while the disciplinary process plays itself out. (Tony Davis/CBC)

TSI player Benjamin Nwaogazi-Awuja doubles as a referee for the association. He too was suspended, but he's not sure why.

"I didn't even get a yellow card in that game," he said, referring to a caution from the ref that a player is displaying misconduct or unsportsmanlike behaviour. It's less serious than a red card, which gets a player kicked off the field.

Ohaegbu said he doesn't have faith in P.E.I. Soccer's ability to investigate the matter, so he is calling on the provincial government to "conduct an independent audit of this organization, its leadership and its officials."

He added: "This racism has to stop. We are just frustrated. We are tired. We don't know who to talk to anymore.

"We don't trust the system anymore and we need accountability."