Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union
UPDATE: Today at 11:51 AM the Union issued a press release stating that MLS had re-opened the investigation and Tanner had been placed on administrative leave by the club
Philadelphia Union’s sporting director Ernst Tanner was investigated by MLS earlier this year following allegations of racist, sexist, and homophobic behavior, according to a report by Pablo Maurer in the Guardian. While he is no stranger to controversy, earning a fine from MLS for comments suggesting LAFC were breaking the salary cap in 2022 and drawing the ire of both fans and players alike with his utilitarian approach to outgoing transfers, this is a far more serious situation.
In his article, Maurer includes statements and evidence from the MLS Players Association’s complaint as well as separate allegations. Tanner reportedly made multiple misogynistic comments about female referees, made derogatory comments about Black players and referees, touched a co-worker inappropriately, and hired an underqualified, abusive coach for Union II.
Tanner has denied the allegations.
In a statement to the Guardian, the Union said that Tanner was found to have made potentially insensitive gender-based comments early in his tenure, for which he underwent training and had discussions with club leadership, and that they were not previously aware of the allegations in the MLSPA complaint.
“The Philadelphia Union takes all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and is unwavering in our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all players, staff, and members of our community,” the club said.
The entire article is worth reading in full. If you don’t have time, the Guardian also published a summary of the investigation: Ernst Tanner: What our investigation revealed about the Philadelphia Union’s Sporting Director.
This is still a developing situation but there are already rumors that it will result in Tanner leaving the club. Both the league, and the Union, have stated that the investigation could be re-opened, if presented with new information.
The Union are scheduled to host bitter rivals NYC FC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Seriously, if the actions and statements reported in the article are even remotely accurate and verified, he should be fired immediately!
While this is very disturbing about Tanner, if true, it also reflects extremely poorly on the organization as a whole given the allegations of reports to HR not being acted upon.
This is all BS. Tanner is a very respectful director as evidenced by the players he has brought in. In my opinion this is all hearsay and should be dismissed by the league.
If we as an organization and fanbase gave a redemption story to fellow German Wagner, I could understand the internal support. both are incredibly valuable to the team. Kai has done his part to earn that chance.
Totally understand if the org and league finds this too much given the duration and accusations. just playing devil’s advocate in hoping that the original mandated sensitivity training and other corrective actions were enough to make Tanner a better person moving forward.
The timing of this report seems sus right before an important playoff game. And I thought the same thing about rumors circulating last week that Miami wants Kai. Is someone trying to get in our heads?
Innocent until proven guilty and all that. I guess we will all wait to see what the league’s new investigation finds.
–
But if this is more-or-less accurate, it’s utterly appalling. Unlike Kai Wagner — who did a s***ty thing once, and was very contrite about it — this is repeated incidents, going back years, reported by many people, despite prior “sensitivity training”. If this is an true picture, I don’t know how he can possibly remain. It also a catastrophe, because Tanner is truly the secret sauce for this club. We may founder without him.
Totally agree on Kai. while there may have been a pattern, it took getting caught once to correct. if the organization is at fault for anything, it is valuing Tanner above coworkers, players, refs, fans, while putting the blinders on after each occurance. I want to believe they did their best to corral the behavior, but the history of sports scandals tell me otherwise.
Ernst’s team just came out an vehemently denied all the allegations. I hate that we’re at a point where (at an exact point it would have the most effect on the team) allegations automatically equal conviction. There are no names on these reports, not even relatively where they’re coming from. Someone in the stands at an away game happened to recognize him above him and happened to hear him saying something bad and happened to turn and see that it was him? Doesn’t pass the sniff test.
.
Look if this becomes true with real evidence, obviously he can’t stay, and should be judged accordingly. But as it stands there was already an investigation where nothing was found. If there is a second round and nothing is found, maybe we all need to reevaluate jumping to judge people at the drop of a hat.
Just read a statement from the team that he has been place on administrative leave while the reopened investigation is ongoing.
It sounds like he made a lot of comments that were okay on the pitch about 20 years ago. Someone in his position needs to have a better vocabulary when dealing with things. Punishment, absolutely. Excommunication, nah.
Kinda makes sense now why Jim Curtain went out of his way to not talk to the guy.
… Jim Curtin went all in on BLM, right?
Maybe Tanner didn’t speak with him because of all that crap?
I would just suggest no one react to this until the investigation is completed. I recall the Duke Lacrosse team incident years back that destroyed those kids and the woman eventually came out and said she made it all up. If the allegations are true, then action must be taken but until then, let’s assume he is either innocent or his comments were taken out of context.
Guys, come on..listen, being someone who knows waaayyyyy to much, it’s all true and it goes way deeper. Pretty much criminal. A former woman employee(will not mention name) made a claim about him sexually harassing her. Guess what.. she doesn’t work there anymore. Pay to go away. That’s all I’ll say.
OK there Bud.
You can ok me all u want..idc..I’m telling u the truth 1000%. . Not saying anything to take down anyone nor am i interested. If i was, i would have said this years ago when it happened. there’s a reason they reopened investigation. He’s a bad dude.
The timing of this new investigation is suspicious. Tanner needs to keep his distance from the team. Coach needs to not even discuss it with any player. Keep all focus on game prep. Philly soccer reporters need to stay away from this topic til playoffs are over. Think the only people who will revisit this in media will be Apple talking heads. Innocent or guilty to and degree , Tanner has built this team over the last several years with a good eye for talent and 1 of the leagues lowest payrolls. I smell a rat. His name is Garber. Tanner challenged him on LA s questionable financing of acquiring high priced players. My guess is he has expessed similar feelings about Miami and the Apple Messi deal.
ABSOF*CKINGLUTELY…
.
“Grabmoremoney”…
.
… allowed us to be indoctrinated with BLM to cash in personally.
.
… used COVID to punish the Union vs NYCFC, the year we were on our way to MLS Cup win.
.
Again punitive TOTALLY to hurt the Union organization.