Mls Executive Who Built A Powerhouse Faced Allegations Of Sexist, Racist And Homophobic Behavior

From a container supra nan section astatine PayPal Park successful San Jose, Ernst Tanner looked on. It was 10 June 2023, and his Union squad were losing a beingness lucifer 2-1 to nan San Jose Earthquakes. Jamiro Monteiro, a subordinate Tanner had brought to nan Union successful 2019 earlier trading him to San Jose, was being substituted. Monteiro, intelligibly exhausted, trudged to nan Earthquakes’ chair arsenic referee Nima Saghafi extended his limb and ushered him along, concisely making contact.

It wasn’t nan first clip Saghafi had touched nan midfielder. In nan first half, pinch Monteiro connected nan crushed aft being sent flying by a tackle, Saghafi placed his manus connected Monteiro’s back, a mini motion meant to show concern.

Both were throwaway moments, nan type of point a referee mightiness do successful immoderate fixed crippled successful immoderate fixed convention successful nan world.

“Why don’t you conscionable buss him, you faggot,” Tanner allegedly said successful consequence to Saghafi’s actions, large capable to beryllium audible to fans sitting beneath nan container wherever Union unit were located.

“Twenty group must’ve heard this,” 1 eyewitness said. “There was a female successful nan stands who was intelligibly horrified.”

The alleged incident is 1 of galore involving Tanner successful a wide-ranging title revenge by nan MLS Players’ Association (MLSPA) to Major League Soccer successful January which was obtained and reviewed by nan Guardian, and which MLS confirms they received. The relationship of nan Saghafi incident successful nan title matches that of a root who claims to person witnessed nan arena and aggregate sources who were told soon thereafter.

Sources said contempt nan nationalist quality of nan alleged incident, Tanner did not look immoderate contiguous scrutiny, suggesting he apt wasn’t recognized. MLS sporting executives are hardly celebrities and to anyone different than knowledgeable fans successful San Jose, Tanner was apt small much than a random look successful a container seat.

In fact, Tanner is 1 of MLS’s astir influential and renowned roster builders, portrayed publically arsenic a disciplined executive who arrived from Europe, mastered nan North American league’s arcane rulebook, and turned a struggling franchise into 1 of MLS’s best.

Privately, though, 17 sources person alleged galore misbehaviors spanning astir nan entirety of Tanner’s seven-year tenure pinch nan Union. These see six of nan 8 allegations successful nan MLSPA title for which nan Guardian was capable to find supporting evidence, including accounts from existent and erstwhile Union employees. The Guardian tin separately study further allegations. Together, nan claims propose a different broadside of Tanner, who allegedly:

• Made aggregate misogynistic comments, including saying “women don’t beryllium successful men’s soccer” astir a female MLS referee and telling a gathering of academy players that they “should ne'er interest astir a referee, unless she’s a woman.”

• Spoke astir Black players “like they were subhuman” and suggested that Black referees “lack intelligence and capability.”

• Touched a co-worker inappropriately “numerous times,” an allegation for which he was reported to nan Union’s HR department.

• Hired an underqualified coach who was allegedly abusive toward players connected nan Philadelphia Union II, nan club’s reserve squad that is utilized arsenic a proving crushed for young players from its thriving academy.

“He thinks group are beneath him, and that he tin get distant pinch anything,” 1 root said. “because he’s fixed [the Union] immoderate success.”

Through his attorney, Tanner told nan Guardian successful a connection that he “firmly denies these accusations, immoderate of which are six aliases 7 years old.” The lawyer’s connection continued, “Throughout his profession spanning complete 3 decades successful master shot astir nan globe, Mr. Tanner has worked reasonably and efficaciously successful a diverse, multi-cultural world upholding precocious standards of professionalism.”

The Philadelphia Union said successful a connection to nan Guardian that Tanner was recovered to person made perchance insensitive gender-based comments early successful his tenure, for which he underwent training and had discussions pinch nine leadership. They said they were not antecedently alert of nan allegations successful nan MLSPA complaint.

“The Philadelphia Union takes each allegations of misconduct highly earnestly and is unwavering successful our committedness to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive situation for each players, staff, and members of our community,” nan nine said.

MLS confirmed successful its ain connection that it received nan MLSPA title and launched an investigation into nan allegations instantly afterward. The Guardian understands that Tanner was ne'er placed connected time off aft nan investigation began successful January because MLS couldn’t corroborate nan claims against him. The investigation was closed this fall. However, nan convention told nan Guardian successful a connection that it had required Tanner to spell done a “structured remedial programme focused connected master workplace conduct” owed to nan seriousness of nan allegations successful nan MLSPA complaint, and retains nan correct to re-open nan investigation if much accusation is brought forward.

In nan meantime, nan Union person continued to win. The nine compiled MLS’s champion regular play grounds successful 2025, and person precocious to nan convention semi-finals. Their younker academy has produced aggregate US nationalist squad players successful statement for a spot connected nan 2026 World Cup squad. Tanner has drawn continued praise for this success.

These achievements, taken pinch nan allegations, overgarment a image of an MLS executive whose results person earned him an expanding level of powerfulness and influence, moreover arsenic claims of workplace misbehavior were reported.

“You wonder, really galore lives does this dude have?,” asked different source.

Allegations contained successful nan MLSPA title were supported independently, pinch recollections of Tanner’s alleged comments recounted by astatine slightest 1 personification who claims to person heard them firsthand, pinch further grounds via contemporaneous accounts, including emails, matter messages and video. Allegations not contained successful nan MLSPA title were recalled separately by aggregate sources who were coming for nan incidents, and were supported by contemporaneous accounts.

No source, however, would spell connected nan grounds – either because they were not authorized to talk nan matter, aliases because they feared repercussions for speaking retired against a powerful sporting executive successful nan comparatively insular world of American soccer. They expressed this contempt MLS’s promises of anonymity via a reporting hotline and guidance issued to each nine successful nan league.

“100% you tin get blacklisted for speaking publically astir immoderate of this,” said 1 source, a sentiment shared by galore others.

“This is simply a small, mini world,” added one. “And not conscionable MLS – it’s easy to get a estimation arsenic personification who speaks retired astir worldly for illustration this and it will costs you your job, not conscionable wherever you are presently. It will travel you astir each convention successful this country.”

The Union won nan 2025 Supporters’ Shield, awarded to nan MLS squad pinch nan champion regular-season record. Photograph: Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

‘I for illustration winning. A lot.’

It’s nary overstatement to telephone Tanner 1 of nan astir successful sporting executives successful MLS history.

In galore different leagues, that type of respect would beryllium earned done winning a haul of trophies. While nan Union person won 2 of those (the 2020 and 2025 Supporters’ Shields, awarded to nan MLS squad pinch nan champion regular-season record), Tanner’s estimation has been gained much done shrewd business than silverware.

Tanner arrived successful Philadelphia successful 2018, brought successful by Union number proprietor Richie Graham, nan financial musculus down nan club’s wildly successful YSC (Youth Soccer Center) academy. Tanner was tasked pinch guiding a nine that had qualified for nan playoffs only erstwhile and lacked nan resources of nan league’s biggest teams. In MLS, though, a soft net headdress allows well-managed lower-spending teams to beryllium competitive.

“That was 1 of nan reasons I thought it was bully to spell here,” Tanner said successful 2022. If you do your occupation right, you tin beryllium successful … here, you tin win. To beryllium honest, I for illustration winning. A lot.”

Under Tanner, nan Union person qualified for nan postseason each twelvemonth isolated from 2024 and made nan 2022 MLS Cup final, a capacity that earned Tanner nan league’s executive of nan twelvemonth award. These successes person travel connected a threadbare budget: The 2025 squad that vanished pinch nan league’s champion grounds spends astir $11m connected its players – astir a 3rd of star-studded Inter Miami, who salary Lionel Messi astir double what nan full Union first squad earns.

Nearly each 1 of nan aforesaid sources who said to nan Guardian astir Tanner’s alleged misbehavior freely admit that nan Union and immoderate unit person benefitted from Tanner’s presence. The statement has brought successful astir $43m done subordinate income complete nan people of his tenure, often from their ain academy products. Tanner has besides displayed an uncanny expertise to scout little-known players from overseas who go coagulated contributors connected team-friendly deals earlier being dealt distant for a tidy return. In a convention that has encouraged parity, nan Union nether Tanner are impervious that 1 tin compete pinch large money successful nan convention without needing to walk it.

“I deliberation location were immoderate positives that came from [working pinch him],” said 1 erstwhile unit personnel who besides supported respective allegations against Tanner. “He’s been successful immoderate really awesome places and I deliberation he utilized his knowledge to push maine to beryllium amended astatine dealing pinch really challenging people. I can’t opportunity my experiences were each antagonistic – I surely grew from it.”

When Tanner arrived successful Philadelphia successful 2018, he worked alongside Chris Albright, who was past nan club’s method director. Sources said that successful Albright’s clip astatine nan Union, reining successful Tanner’s unprofessional and inappropriate comments became a regular portion of his job.

“When Chris Albright was location he was capable to negociate [the move betwixt others astatine nan nine and Tanner],” 1 root said. “He was benignant of a buffer for everything. But that’s gone now.”

Albright declined to speak to nan Guardian. The Union declined to remark connected Tanner and Albright’s dynamic.

Perhaps Tanner’s biggest azygous determination astatine nan Union was nan 2024 dismissal of caput coach Jim Curtin, a Philadelphia-area autochthonal who had been successful nan statement successful immoderate shape since 2010, had knowledgeable occurrence nether Tanner, and was wide respected by fans, players and nan wider organization.

In nan absence of Curtin, Albright and different longtime staffers, sources say, Tanner has only go much empowered. In 2024, he was fixed a semipermanent statement hold by nan Union, a twelvemonth aft he was connected to nan vacant US men’s nationalist squad sporting head post. His imagination for nan nine is straight cited by nine owners arsenic nan driving unit down not conscionable first-team coaching and tactical decisions, but besides nan measurement nan younker academy operated astatine a granular level.

“We’d ever mobility really a sporting head has truthful overmuch powerfulness complete everybody,” said 1 erstwhile Union academy player. “Everything went done him, it was truthful strange. His look was everywhere, each complete nan stadium. Why is simply a sporting head truthful popular, aliases truthful nationalist for illustration that? Whether it’s nan measurement he talks aliases because he’s truthful intimidating, who knows. It’s a unusual thing.”

In his statement, Tanner said he “remains proud of nan team’s occurrence this play and his activity pinch nan Philadelphia Union.”

‘This is not women’s soccer’

Allegations concerning Tanner’s behaviour day backmost to his first twelvemonth astatine nan Union successful 2018. During a ample gathering of academy players and unit that year, Tanner was speaking astir his plans for nan Union’s academy and offering proposal to those successful attendance – a group that included young prospects, nan head of nan academy, and allegedly astatine slightest 2 members of ownership, including Graham. At 1 point, an academy subordinate asked Tanner whether he had immoderate proposal connected dealing pinch lucifer officials.

“You should ne'er interest astir a referee, unless she’s a woman,” aggregate sources allege Tanner said, pinch different recalling that he added: “women should beryllium successful nan kitchen, not being referees.”

That alleged incident, which is not successful nan MLSPA complaint, was followed 2 years later by 1 that is. During a preseason crippled successful February of 2020, Tanner allegedly went aft caput referee Tori Penso, past a newcomer to MLS and still half a twelvemonth distant from becoming nan first female caput referee to telephone an MLS regular-season game. Penso’s resume was long, though, having called games successful nan men’s little leagues and NWSL. She has gone connected to telephone a big of world matches since, including a Women’s World Cup final.

After a foul precocious successful nan match, 1 root recalled Tanner saying “this isn’t women’s soccer, spell backmost to women’s shot – women don’t beryllium successful men’s soccer.” Other sources who were coming corroborate this account, arsenic does partial video of nan lucifer obtained by nan Guardian successful which Tanner tin beryllium heard raising his sound adjacent nan camera and yelling “this is not women’s soccer.”

“A batch of america who were location were conscionable incredibly uncomfortable,” said 1 source. “This wasn’t an uncommon point for him erstwhile it came to female referees aliases conscionable women generally.”

“If these remarks are proven to beryllium true, we are appalled,” said Mark Geiger, wide head of nan Professional Referee Organization, which administers master shot officiating successful nan US. “Such comments – and immoderate shape of discriminatory connection – are profoundly irresponsible, wholly inappropriate, and person nary spot successful our crippled aliases successful society.”

Tanner issued a connection done his lawyer saying he “denies ever intentionally making insensitive gender-based comments.” Tanner’s ineligible practice besides supplied supportive statements from 5 existent and erstwhile coworkers. Of those, 2 activity wrong nan Union academy. Dr. Nooha Ahmed-Lee, who serves arsenic nan academy’s caput of schools, said successful portion that Tanner has “shown a heavy respect for our divers community” and that “As a female and personification of color, I person ever knowledgeable Ernst arsenic a thoughtful and opinionated leader who values professionalism, inclusion, and integrity.” Jon Scheer, nan head of nan academy, said Tanner has “fostered a civilization rooted successful accountability, improvement and respect.”

In its statement, nan Union said that “early successful his tenure pinch nan club, Mr Tanner was recovered to person made perchance insensitive gender-based comments,” without referencing immoderate circumstantial allegation.

“The nine took remedial steps to reside this conduct, including done training and discussions pinch nan club’s activity connected due workplace conduct,” nan Union said.

Subaru Park, located successful Chester, Pennsylvania, has been nan Union’s location since nan squad joined MLS successful 2010. Photograph: Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

‘A measurement of getting buried’

In 2019, announcement was revenge to nan Union’s HR section alleging Tanner engaged successful inappropriate beingness interaction pinch a nine employee. The alleged incidents occurred during greetings betwixt Tanner and nan worker and progressive Tanner grabbing nan employee’s hips “numerous times,” according to nan MLSPA complaint. The allegation and nan beingness of announcement to Union HR are supported by emails reviewed by nan Guardian arsenic good arsenic nan accounts of 9 sources acquainted pinch nan incidents, each of whom requested anonymity to protect their master relationships. None of nan sources saw immoderate grounds of a consequence from nan Union, who for illustration MLS declined to reside nan taxable specifically erstwhile asked by nan Guardian. Tanner’s ineligible practice denied nan allegation, saying that he “did not inappropriately touch a colleague.”

The club’s handling of that title is par for nan course, opportunity respective sources, who described situations successful which Tanner avoided interaction pinch them and circumvented their authority aft they reported him to Union HR for different incidents. In total, complete a twelve existent and erstwhile Philadelphia Union labor opportunity that complaints concerning Tanner’s behaviour person been submitted to nan club’s HR section but that they person seen nary grounds of a response.

“I cognize galore group consciousness that worldly that has gone to HR has a measurement of getting buried,” said 1 source. “Everybody ever said – ‘guys, each you tin do is study things to HR.’ But sometimes it felt for illustration anyone who reported crap to our HR section conscionable ended up getting pushed out.”

In their statement, nan Union said: “When a matter has been brought to our attention, nan Union has ever acted swiftly and appropriately, including retaining extracurricular counsel erstwhile due to behaviour thorough investigations successful accordance pinch nine argumentation and ineligible requirements.”

The Guardian understands that while MLS expects its clubs to stock allegations of workplace misconduct, nan convention was not antecedently alert of nan allegations contained successful nan MLSPA complaint. A mostly of those interviewed by nan Guardian said that respective of these incidents were among those reported to nan Union’s HR department.

‘Like they were subhuman’

Another communal taxable among a mostly of nan sources who said pinch nan Guardian was Tanner’s allegedly racist commentary astir Black players, coaches and referees. Several specified allegations are made successful nan MLSPA’s title to nan league.

“He consistently would speak astir African players for illustration they were subhuman,” said 1 root of Tanner’s workplace behavior, a explanation matching that of 3 different existent and erstwhile Union employees. “That was beautiful consistent. He would ever benignant of propulsion retired – ‘well, he’s African, he’s not capable to do that.’ Or, ‘we each cognize that Africans can’t execute for illustration that, we can’t spot them.’”

The MLSPA’s title contains a fewer allegations that autumn wrong these lines. One, supported by a root adjacent to nan Union first team, said that Tanner criticized a Black player’s perceived deficiency of velocity by saying “It’s for illustration he’s not moreover Black.”

Multiple sources supported different allegation from a Union lucifer against Orlando City successful March of 2023. During nan match, Union guardant Mikael Uhre was called offside by adjunct referee Justin Howard, who is Black. In nan MLSPA complaint, Tanner is alleged to person said successful response: “This is nan problem pinch MLS, they let Black referees successful nan league. When did they let this? They deficiency intelligence and capability.” This allegation is supported by 3 sources who either witnessed it firsthand aliases were told astir it soon afterward.

The MLSPA title besides references an alleged incident successful which Tanner reacted to nan dropping of a sheet of nutrient astatine a coaches’ training by saying “It’s a bully point we invited nan African coaches; they’re utilized to eating nutrient disconnected nan floor.” Multiple sources corroborate this account, adding that nan remark was said successful a room afloat of group and was directed toward an attendee who had spent clip coaching successful Africa.

A mostly of sources interviewed by nan Guardian said that a taste disconnect was often raised among Union labor arsenic a imaginable mentation for why Tanner, who is German, behaved successful this manner. However, each of those sources were speedy to explain that Tanner’s behaviour acold exceeded thing that could beryllium attributed to a taste difference.

“[The disconnect] was a thing, for sure,” said 1 source. “But a batch of [people astatine nan club] were from Europe, too, though, and I don’t cognize anyone who comes from location to present who acts that measurement because of a ‘disconnect.’”

It was, different root said, “absolute ignorance, things that aren’t acceptable but possibly he thinks they are.”

In his connection to nan Guardian, Tanner wrote that passim his profession he has “worked reasonably and efficaciously successful a diverse, multi-cultural world upholding precocious standards of professionalism.”

Of nan 5 statements successful support of Tanner provided by his attorneys, 3 are from existent aliases erstwhile coworkers who are Black. Union elder head for nine use and compliance Sheldon Phillips said successful portion that Tanner’s “direct connection style encourages patient dialogue, contributing to a abstraction wherever divers perspectives tin thrive.” Union academy scout and adjunct coach Idrissa Kone called him a “supportive personification and boss” who “has been friends and benignant to me.” Former Union adjunct coach Marlon LeBlanc expressed gratitude for Tanner’s hiring him astatine nan Union and proposal for him for a different occupation considering “it is very difficult for Black coaches to break into MLS.” LeBlanc said he was treated “with respect, and professionalism.”

‘He stood up for it nan full time’

In 2020, Tanner hired Sven Gartung to coach nan Union II, nan club’s reserve squad that is often utilized arsenic a proving crushed for nan club’s academy players. Gartung arrived aft a very little stint coaching a Malaysian Super League side, pinch past acquisition astatine academy level successful Germany. The Union dismissed Gartung aft conscionable six months connected nan job, astatine nan clip offering nary logic for his termination.

“Sven was a weird one,” said 1 erstwhile Union II player, “because he came pinch what we believed was for illustration zero aliases nary coaching experience. It was truthful strange. His ideas and knowledge of nan crippled were really nan worst I’ve ever seen astatine nan master level. The things he was showing america was worldly you’d do astatine a U-7 training.”

Internally, six abstracted sources said, it was clear that Gartung had been dismissed because of an inappropriate relationship pinch different Union employee. Two sources callback that astatine 1 point, Gartung threatened a salient Union academy subordinate aft he was ruled retired owed to a concussion, saying “I’m gonna trim your testicles disconnected and bent them connected nan wall” if nan subordinate missed a game. Gartung did not respond to aggregate requests for remark from nan Guardian, while USL and nan USL Players’ Association some said they had nary grounds of immoderate general complaints revenge against Gartung (Union II played successful USL astatine nan time).

Another erstwhile Union II subordinate remembers a business wherever a subordinate was forced to tally “to wherever he was sick.”

“And [Gartung] fundamentally said nan subordinate should beryllium capable to do it because of wherever he was from,” nan Union II subordinate said. “He was African.”

“There were issues pinch nan measurement [Gartung] said pinch women connected staff,” added different root adjacent to nan club. “And Ernst would opportunity fundamentally that location were taste dynamics astatine play, that group talk otherwise present successful nan US. But it decidedly was incredibly inappropriate.”

One root characterized Gartung and 3 different Tanner-hired coaches successful nan Union statement who were likewise harsh successful their dealings pinch players arsenic “direct reflections of Ernst.”

“Those were nan group he wanted to beryllium astir connected a regular basis, he defended them to a fault,” nan root said. “I felt Ernst was going to beryllium fired complete that full [Gartung] business but he conscionable stood up for it nan full time.”

The Union and Tanner some declined to specifically reside nan hiring of Gartung, who has since near shot wholly and landed backmost successful Europe, wherever he is CEO of an AI startup.

The Union person qualified for nan MLS playoffs successful each twelvemonth of Tanner’s tenure isolated from 2024. Photograph: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

‘Ernst has done his job’

MLS and nan Union confirmed to nan Guardian that nan convention ran an investigation into Tanner’s behaviour alleged successful nan MLSPA complaint. The Guardian understands that nan convention relied connected their ain ineligible counsel to do interviews, doing truthful successful bid to amended collaborate pinch nan MLSPA. However, a root indicated that nan convention hadn’t followed up pinch nan MLSPA concerning nan position of nan investigation until past week, aft nan Guardian approached MLS for comment.

MLS told nan Guardian that “more than a twelve existent and erstwhile players and nine employees” were contacted for its investigation, pinch a “majority” deciding to return part. The Guardian understands that a full of 13 group were contacted, pinch 8 yet participating, including Tanner. The Union said successful its connection that nan nine “fully cooperated” pinch nan investigation.

MLS said it closed nan investigation erstwhile it could not corroborate nan allegations successful nan MLSPA complaint, but nan Guardian understands that nan convention recovered nan alleged behavior, if true, to beryllium unacceptable, constituting a “clear violation” of convention policy.

Even though nan convention did not corroborate nan allegations, it did require him to participate successful a “structured remedial programme focused connected master workplace conduct,” according to nan league’s statement. The Guardian understands this to beryllium a training connected due workplace behaviour that lasts respective hours. It is astatine slightest nan 2nd training of nan type Tanner has been made to do speech from nan Union’s yearly sensitivity training, which nan nine says it requires each unit to complete.

In their statements to nan Guardian, some nan Union and MLS stated that furthering their investigation into Tanner remains a possibility.

“The League maintains an anonymous reporting hotline and will re-open nan investigation if further accusation is brought forward,” said an MLS spokesperson.

“Should immoderate caller accusation emerge, nan Philadelphia Union will enactment quickly and appropriately, successful accordance pinch our policies, and will proceed to cooperate afloat pinch nan league,” wrote nan Union.

MLS has a agelong history of investigating akin allegations of misbehavior, but they’ve mostly been constricted to on-the-field incidents. In position of beforehand agency personnel, 1 caller high-profile investigation into racist behaviour was focused connected now-former Real Salt Lake proprietor Dell Loy Hansen, who was yet forced to waste his stock successful nan nine and nan NWSL’s Utah Royals.

Current San Jose Earthquakes caput coach Bruce Arena was besides astatine nan halfway of a convention investigation during his clip astatine nan New England Revolution successful 2023. Arena was first placed connected administrative time off by nan convention aft allegations of “insensitive language” were made, reportedly by his ain coaching staff. He yet resigned and ne'er publically addressed specifics of nan situation, citing “legal restrictions.”

Tanner has remained astatine nan Union, by astir accounts successful bully opinionated pinch ownership.

“To ownership, Ernst has done his job,” said 1 source. “I deliberation erstwhile [chair and CEO Jay] Sugarman looks astatine it, his ROI is astronomical. Why would I get free of nan feline who’s done this for me, astatine this point?”

If you person immoderate applicable accusation to stock astir this communicative aliases others, you tin interaction nan Guardian securely through these methods.