George Floyd: MLS player’s wife posts calls to kill ‘disgusting cattle’ protesters
Alarming posts by Serbian winger’s wife amid protests
The LA Galaxy will meet with new Serbian winger Aleksandar Katai on Thursday to discuss a series of alarming social media posts by his wife.
Tea Katai made the since-deleted posts on her Instagram story this week, the Galaxy confirmed Wednesday night in a statement that called the posts “racist and violent”.
The team says its meeting with Katai, who has appeared in only two games for the Galaxy, will “determine next steps”.
Protests have taken place across the US and around the world after George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died after Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes on May 25.
Tea Katai’s posts included a profane call, written in Serbian, to “kill” protesters. Another called protesters “disgusting cattle”, also in Serbian.
“The LA Galaxy strongly condemned the social posts and requested their immediate removal,” the team’s statement read. “The LA Galaxy stands firmly against racism of any kind, including that which suggests violence or seeks to demean the efforts of those in pursuit of racial equality. The LA Galaxy stand with communities of colour, and especially the black community, in the protests and fight against systemic racism, social inequality, bigotry and violence.”
The 29-year-old Katai joined the Galaxy in December after spending his first two MLS seasons with the Chicago Fire. He has made nine appearances for Serbia’s national team, including three last year in Euro 2020 qualifying matches.
Aleksandar Katai disavowed his wife’s posts in a statement on his own Instagram account Wednesday night.
“These views are not ones that I share and are not tolerated in my family,” he wrote. “I strongly condemn white supremacy, racism and violence towards people of colour. Black lives matter. This is a mistake from my family and I take full responsibility. I will ensure that my family and I take the necessary actions to learn, understand, listen and support the black community.
“I understand that it will take time to earn back the support of the people of Los Angeles. I am committed to putting in the necessary work to learn from these mistakes and be a better ally and advocate for equality going forward. I am sorry for the pain these posts have caused the LA Galaxy family and all allies in the fight against racism.”
Katai signed with the Galaxy as a free agent on December 31. He scored 18 goals in 62 appearances over the previous two seasons for the Fire, who acquired him from Alaves in Spain’s La Liga.
MLS play was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, but several Galaxy players returned to the club’s training complex two weeks ago to begin individual workouts and rehabilitation.