Union put Ernst Tanner on leave as MLS reopens probe into conduct

The Philadelphia Union placed sporting director Ernst Tanner on administrative leave Wednesday as Major League Soccer reopened its investigation into his alleged misconduct.

The actions of both the Union and MLS come on the heels of a report by the Guardian on Tuesday that accused Tanner of racist, sexist and homophobic comments during his seven years with the club. That report came after the MLS Players Association filed a complaint to the league about the 59-year-old German in January.

"Following publication of a Guardian article that included new allegations and potentially new information, MLS will reopen the investigation," the league said in a statement on Wednesday. "MLS maintains an anonymous reporting hotline and encourages anyone with relevant information to come forward."

The Union issued a statement of their own on Wednesday.

"The Philadelphia Union takes all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone associated with our club," the club wrote. "Discrimination, harassment, or abusive conduct of any kind has no place here, and all staff are required to complete annual sensitivity training.

"While a recent MLS investigation was unable to corroborate allegations involving Sporting Director Ernst Tanner, MLS has advised the Union that it will be reopening the investigation and the Union continues to cooperate fully."

Per The Guardian, Tanner allegedly shouted a homophobic slur toward a referee during Philadelphia's match in San Jose on June 10, 2023. Referee Nima Saghafi touched then-Earthquakes midfielder Jamiro Monteiro while escorting the player to the bench, Tanner allegedly shouted: "Why don't you just kiss him, you f---t."

Per the report, "20 people must've heard this" and that there "was a woman in the stands who was clearly horrified."

In 2018, Tanner is alleged to have cautioned Union academy players that they "should never worry about a referee, unless she's a woman."

"Women should be in the kitchen, not being referees," Tanner said, per the report.

The report also details Tanner's alleged comments about Black players and Black referees lacking "intelligence and capability."

Through his attorney, Tanner told the Guardian in a statement that he "firmly denies these accusations, some of which are six or seven years old." The lawyer's statement continued, "Throughout his career spanning over three decades in professional soccer around the globe, Mr. Tanner has worked fairly and effectively in a diverse, multi-cultural world upholding high standards of professionalism."

The Union have qualified for the postseason in each year under Tanner except 2024, with the team advancing to the 2022 MLS Cup final. Tanner received the executive of the year award in 2022 and Philadelphia won the 2025 Supporters' Shield.

--Field Level Media