Ernst Tanner was placed on administrative leave by the Philadelphia Union Wednesday, a day after a report by The Guardian surfaced allegations of racist and sexist language used by the club’s sporting director. The Guardian investigation revealed for the first time a complaint brought by Major League Soccer’s Players Association and investigated by the league. MLS closed the investigation after being “unable to substantiate the allegations,” it said in a statement on Wednesday. But new information in The Guardian article led MLS to reopen the probe. The Union said in a statement Wednesday that it will place Tanner on leave as the investigation commences. “The Philadelphia Union takes all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone associated with our club,” the club said in its statement. “Discrimination, harassment, or abusive conduct of any kind has no place here, and all staff are required to complete annual sensitivity training. “While a recent MLS investigation was unable to corroborate allegations involving Sporting Director Ernst Tanner, MLS has advised the Union that it will be reopening the investigation and the Union continues to cooperate fully. The Union has placed Mr. Tanner on administrative leave during the investigation. Throughout this process, our top priority remains the well-being of our players, fans, staff, and community.” Tanner was not placed on leave in January, during the middle of the open transfer window, when MLS conducted its initial investigation. The article, which cites 17 sources among current and former club employees and academy players, found evidence for six of the eight claims presented by the original MLSPA complaint. They include instances of misogynistic and sexist comments toward female referees; demeaning comments about Black players and game officials; allegations by a Union employee that Tanner touched them inappropriately; and hiring an allegedly underqualified and abusive coach for the reserve team. Tanner, though a lawyer, denied the allegations. The Union said that it had addressed complaints regarding Tanner early in his tenure, taking “remedial steps to address this conduct, including through training and discussions with the club’s leadership on appropriate workplace conduct.” At the conclusion of its investigation this year, MLS required Tanner to participate in a “structured remedial program focused on professional workplace conduct.” Tanner, 59, has been the Union’s sporting director since 2018. The club has made the playoffs in six of his seven full seasons in charge, including the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 and 2025. The Union remain alive in the MLS Cup playoffs, hosting New York City FC in Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinals. His ability to make the most out of a salary budget that is regularly near the bottom of the league has drawn league-wide acclaim, both in his ability to make shrewd intraleague transactions and to acquire players from outside MLS. He’s also been a driving force in solidifying the Union’s place as one of MLS’s best clubs at developing youth talent from within the academy. Tanner was hired after spending six seasons with the academy at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. He was previously the Director of Football and CEO of TSG Hoffenheim in his native Germany. His executive career began in the early 2000s at 1860 Munich.
https://www.trentonian.com/2025/11/19/union-place-club-official-on-leave-after-allegations-of-inappropriate-behavior/
Union place club official on leave after allegations of inappropriate behavior
