'The energy that I felt, it's amazing:' Simcoe County Rovers president after player allegedly racially abused
The Simcoe County Rovers FC took to the field Saturday afternoon for the team's first game since a player was the victim of alleged racial abuse.
On Saturday, the team played host to Vaughan Azzurri in Barrie Saturday afternoon. The game started with members of both teams taking a knee, a symbolic gesture against racism.
"I think the group is coming together, and when I was in that change room, the energy that I felt, it's amazing," says Julian De Guzman, the team's owner and president. "I mean, they are so strong, and they are so unified."
On Thursday, the team was playing a game in Peterborough when a fan from the opposing team, the Electric City Football club, allegedly directed racial abuse toward a player.
De Guzman, a former player and coach, says, unfortunately, incidents like this do happen. He spoke with the players ahead of Saturday's game, saying the most important thing is to share the experience as a group.
"I kind of use that and channel it into something positive, and this is what has pushed me in my career and anything I do in life," says De Guzman. "I know there's always going to be the hate and the jealous and the competition, and that's what it comes with, but I always try to find a way to channel that and put it into a different light."
Since the incident, De Guzman says the support he and the team have received has been overwhelmingly positive.
League1 Ontario said an investigation had been opened to identify those who are responsible for the alleged attack.
"One thing I warned them was if you're doing that well, you are going to always have these hurdles to approach, and you're going to have a target on your back pretty much," says De Guzman. "So they've found a way to really grow the group even stronger, and that's the message that I left with them, and that's exactly how they feel. If it's not going to break you down, it's going to make you stronger."
On Thursday, the Electric City Football Club from Peterborough posted on social media that a select group of fans had been suspended from attending home matches until the investigation was over and an "appropriate course of action" had been determined.
"The Club will be making no further comment on the matter until the investigation is completed," it concluded.
De Guzman says his players have handled the situation with the utmost professionalism.
"Our job is to continue to raise the awareness, for the individuals that have to go through this and suffer, it's our job to make them keep believing in themselves pretty much," he says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
WATCH LIVE Toronto police to release updated list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
Toronto police and law enforcement partners will be releasing the BOLO program’s updated list of the top 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada at a news conference on Tuesday morning.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.