CINCINNATI — Less than a week after an investigation was opened into FC Cincinnati's head coach Ron Jans alleged use of a racial slur, Jans officially resigned Monday evening, according to the team.
"Ron offered his resignation and we agreed that it was the best course of action for everyone involved with FC Cincinnati,” club president Jeff Berding said in a news release.
"I really want to thank everyone at FC Cincinnati," Jans said in a statement. "I'm really sorry our story ends like this. But even if I were to return, there would be too much damage done to be able to move forward succesfully."
On Friday, Major League Soccer announced they were investigating a complaint that Jans made "extremely inappropriate comments."
According to two sources close to the team, the investigation stemmed from Jans using the N-word in front of players earlier this preseason.
#FCCincy head coach Ron Jans has resigned: https://t.co/Ok20rOFz8L pic.twitter.com/7E5mFyY6G4
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) February 18, 2020
A spokesperson from the Major League Soccer Player's Association declined to comment on the initial investigation beyond providing the following statement.
“The Players Association was very recently made aware of extremely inappropriate comments made by FC Cincinnati coach Ron Jans. We have made a report to the appropriate league officials and expect an immediate and thorough league investigation to be conducted.”
Here is a statement from Ron Jans... #fccincy pic.twitter.com/ChskpD5YUT
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) February 18, 2020
“We place the utmost importance on a strong culture within our club, beginning in our locker room, and that every person connected with FC Cincinnati feels valued," Berding said. "Racial and cultural diversity is a major part of what makes the game of soccer so special, and we place the highest priority on respecting every person involved in our game."
Jans had been preaching the need for a positive culture since he arrived in Cincinnati in August, 2019, after former coach Alan Koch was fired 11 matches into the season because of what Berding called “cultural issues within the locker room.”
Yoann Damet will once again be the club's interim head coach while team management searches for a new head coach.
FC Cincinnati is in the middle of its preseason training at IMG Academy in Florida, and the regular season is set to begin March 1 at the New York Red Bulls.
This story was originally published by WCPO in Cincinnati.
