Topics: Wayne Rooney, Phil Neville, Taxi Fountas, Damion Lowe, DC United, Inter Miami, MLS
Black-and-Red forward Taxi Fountas was accused of racially abusing the opposition's Jamaican center-back, with the manager taking him off the pitch as a result.

Wayne Rooney has garnered public praise for his actions during an intense showdown between DC United and Inter Milan in the MLS, but unfortunately, this had little to do with the Englishman's tactical set-up for that Eastern Conference clash.

The action was paused mid-game due to an altercation between the Black-and-Red forward Taxi Fountas and Inter Miami defender Damion Lowe in the second half. Things got heated between the pair and, initially, little was known about the root of this incident that resulted in play being halted for several minutes.

However, it became evident that something more sinister–allegedly–occurred on the pitch when match official Ismail Elfath called upon both the two opposing captains and managers for a dialogue.

Rooney reacted by subbing off Fountas and play eventually resumed. Once the commotion calmed down and the game came to a wrap, the source of this controversy became clearer. According to the Inter Miami camp, the DC United ace racially abused Lowe, who is Jamaican, calling him the n-word, thus sparking anger.

The Herons star DeAndre Yedlin spoke after the game, going public with the accusation against the Greek forward while admitting that he and his fellow teammates were ready to walk off the pitch if action wasn't taken against Fountas.

"Damion and another player got into a bit of a scuffle - as Damion walks away, one of their guys called him the n-word," Yedlin said, as per the Sun.

While Inter Miami boss Phil Neville did not go into great detail as to what occurred on the pitch, the former Manchester United man all but confirmed a derogatory word was directed at his player.

"There was a racist comment that was unacceptable," Neville told the press after the final whistle, as per the Guardian. "A word was used that I think is unacceptable in society. I think it's the worst word in the world. There is no place at all for racism on a football field or society."

Phil then went on to praise not only his players and the match officials for how they handled the situation, but also Rooney, who earned admiration for his reaction.

Given that the referee confirmed to the Athletic reporter Pablo Iglesias Maurer that neither he nor his fellow officials – both on the pitch and behind VAR – heard the alleged racist comment, it is safe to assume Rooney did not witness the event as well. However, play stopped in the 59th minute and only resumed when the accused player was taken off the pitch in the 66th minute. This decision was taken by the DC United boss after speaking with Neville, a former teammate from his Old Trafford days.

"I must commend my players for keeping their calm, I must commend the referee – [in] a really difficult situation he followed the protocols set out by the MLS – and I must give massive, massive respect to Wayne Rooney for dealing with it in the way that he did. I have always known him as a class act and today he went up in my estimation more than he has ever done, more than any goal he has ever scored," the Inter Miami head coach later added.

Rooney was coy on this matter but confessed that there was a complaint from the opposing team that will need investigating. The MLS later confirmed that a formal investigation has been opened into this case, reiterating their "zero tolerance for abusive and offensive language", while DC United announced in an official statement that they will be assisting the league in this matter. It should be noted, however, that Fountas has denied these allegations, as per Pablo Iglesias Maurer.