Royals rookie Tziarra King: DLH comments “completely unacceptable”

The first Utah Royals FC player has added her voice to the chorus decrying Dell Loy Hansen’s comments following Real Salt Lake players’ and coaches’ protest last night.

Tziarra King, a rookie who has been outspoken on issues of racial injustice, posted the following statement on Twitter today:

“Any player’s hope is to be in an environment where they are fully supported not only as a player, but most importantly as a person. For DLH to take this very real situation about the black community, and try to turn it around and make it about himself is completely unacceptable. Messages about inclusion and diversity are in complete contradiction with an owner who refuses to understand the relevance of a player strike for racial equality. I’m disappointed, but not surprised, by the lack of understanding in this situation. One thing I’m absolutely not going to do is use his privilege as an excuse for his comments. I hope that people, in this club and beyond, will choose accountability and empathy moving forward. I stand in complete solidarity with the decision of RSL players.”