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LAFC criticizes Portland Timbers for 'dismissive' statement after racism probe

LAFC says it is "disappointed" by what it called a "dismissive" statement from the Portland Timbers after the investigation into Adama Diomande's racism allegations.

A U.S. Soccer panel on Thursday announced there was insufficient evidence and issued no sanctions after examining Diomande's claim that a Timbers player called him a racial slur during a U.S. Open Cup game last month.

The Timbers' statement after the ruling said the club believed the incident did not occur as Diomande described and called the forward's accusations "regrettable."

"There is no corroboration that the incident occurred," the Timbers' statement said. "It is our strong belief that the alleged incident in the U.S. Open Cup match as depicted by the opposing player simply did not happen.

"It is regrettable that there was even a suggestion of any wrongdoing by a Timbers player, but we are pleased that ultimately due process was observed."

LAFC took issue with Portland's response in a statement of its own on Friday, while backing Diomande.

"We are disappointed that the Portland Timbers issued a statement that was dismissive of our player and the investigation by concluding it 'simply did not happen.' We stand by Adama Diomande and his courageous public statement," LAFC's statement said.

Diomande on Thursday night also posted a rebuke on Instagram, though it wasn't clear if he was responding to the decision or to the Timbers' statement.

"They will say [you're] a liar and it never happened three weeks ago. They will say no perfect camera angle, lips reading or any other evidence to prove [you're] right," he wrote. "They will tell you a word that is nothing in this world can accept at all."

LAFC also said it accepted the decision of the U.S. Soccer panel that there was insufficient evidence to issue sanctions.

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