LA Galaxy soccer player Sebastian Lletget has issued an apology after getting caught on camera using a homophobic slur.
Outsports reports that Lletget uttered the word “puto” on camera in an Instagram post. “Puto” is the Spanish equivalent of f*ggot. Within hours of the video posting on Friday, Lletget had deleted it and issued a full apology to the LGBTQ sports site.
“I messed up. Earlier today, I posted a video that included me using a derogatory slur in Spanish,” Lletget wrote. “I have taken down a video from my Instagram story but want to address its impact and not hide from this. I take full responsibility and ownership on what was an extremely poor and ill-thought phrase and have no excuse for my actions. I am sorry and know the pain that this term has caused for so many.”
Related: Robbie Rogers Signs With LA Galaxy, Becomes First Out MLS Player
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“I want to be part of the solution — not part of the problem — and continue to be an advocate and an ally for the LGBTQ+ community,” he added. “Those who know me know my character and heart. I will remain outspoken in my support and advocacy. My error doesn’t change that. Thanks for your accountability. I need to do and be better.”
The video shows Lletget palling around with fellow player Julian Araujo. Lletget walks up behind Araujo and slaps him on the neck, at which point he uses the word.
A spokesperson for the LA Galaxy issued this statement: “The L.A. Galaxy do not condone homophobic or derogatory language of any kind,” it read. “The club stands with the LGBTQ+ community and will address this matter internally.”
Homophobia within major league soccer continues to be an ongoing problem. Last year, Brazilian soccer star Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, better known as Neymar, made international headlines for using the Portuguese equivalent of “f*ggot” in reference to his mother’s boyfriend, while threatening to rape him with a broom handle. In 2018, the LA Galaxy’s Pride Night was disrupted by a group of fans in the crowd that kept chanting “puto” throughout the game.
Fahd
Change doesn’t happen overnight. If this is an isolated incident for him, I thought his apology sincere. The society or culture in which a group thinks its a thing to yell ‘p*to” throughout pride night is what has to change. A small, but important part of that change is happening when the team and the player acknowledge that something unacceptable was said, apologize, and take action. I hope I live another 100 years.
Cozmo2
Straight Hispanic guys call each other that for fun. It’s all in how you say it and how you take it. Put an a at the end of puto (puta) and that means whore.
TMBisAOK
What you just said is RIDICULOUS! It doesnt matter that that is just straight men being men to each other! That’s the whole point of how homophobia hurts and kills gay people. They keep thinking it’s ok and in the meantime straight people take it as far as murdering gay people! He seems to realize and accept that…WHY DON’T YOU!?
Cam
And straight men in America used to call each other fa**ot for fun, doesn’t mean it’s cool.
Catholicslutbox
I always thought it meant a$$hole.
Hmmm.
Heywood Jablowme
No, that’s “culo.”
dhmonarch89
wasn’t this Robbie Rogers old team? Guess his being there and out didn’t change a lot beyond how to grovel and apologize somewhat effectively. Should he be cancelled- no, but do we need him as an advocate and ally, no…
cuteguy
He is part of the problem and not the solution if he keeps his job. Nothing will happen to him tho. That’s the problem
dinard38
I’m so sick of this cancer culture bullshit. The man was joking around with his teammate. He wasn’t even calling a gay person that derogatory word. And he apologized. But no. That isn’t enough for you.
Y’all keep this up and it will eventually start backfiring.
Cam
@dinard38
So basically your argument is that if we don’t like people using homophobic or racist language and express that opinion, it will “Backfire”.
Isn’t it funny then that tolerating it for so long didn’t get rid of it, but exposing it and rebelling against it is changing things.
Sorry it enrages you so much that people can’t run around using the N word or calling people fa**ots as much as they used to.
tjack47
I thought puto and puta were the equivalent of male and female prostitutes or sluts? Look, if you allow vowels and consonants to upset you to the point of crucifying someone on social media, you haven’t developed the thick skin many of us had to to help us survive. I thought f*ggot in Spanish was “joto or jota”? This cancel culture is insane. Don’t tell me I’m a Republican with a fake account. I’m liberal. I’m atheist. I’m a gay male. I just grew up listening to Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Don Rickles and Lisa Lampanelli. It’s fun if you’re making fun of everyone’s stereotypes.
ricdardc1
Just do a Gay Porn video for BROMO, That’s a Start. I’ll be Waiting