Chicago fans ejected after heckling Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly with racist taunt

Ron Clements
February 18, 2018 05:26 MYT
Four spectators were ejected from Chicago's United Center Saturday after heckling Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly while he was in the penalty box.

Officials heard fans taunting the 25-year-old Toronto native by repeatedly yelling the word "basketball." The implication is that because Smith-Pelly is black, he should be playing on the hardwood instead of the ice.

Fans next to the penalty box said "basketball, basketball, basketball" to Smith-Pelly when he was in the penalty box, according to a Caps spokesman. DSP was understandably upset. The off-ice official confirmed what happened and the fans were booted. That's the holdup for Trotz.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 18, 2018
"There's absolutely no place in the game of hockey or in our country for racism," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said following Washington's 7-1 loss to the Blackhawks. "I think it's disgusting."

Smith-Pelly, who had 12:50 of ice time Saturday, heard the taunt and got up to confront one fan through the glass but was quickly turned around by the penalty box attendant.

"Athletes in our country don't deserve that," Trotz added. "It just shows ignorance."

The Blackhawks did issue a statement, calling the comments directed toward Smith-Pelly "harmful."

"The fans were immediately removed and we apologize to Smith-Pelly and the Washington Capitals organization," the team said. "We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone who attends out games and these actions will never be tolerated."

#English #NHL #Washington Capitals #Hockey #Chicago Blackhawks #Devante Smith-Pelly