MLS reopens investigation into Philadelphia Union executive as team places him on leave

Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday that it is re-opening its investigation into Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner. The Union said in a statement to the Guardian that they have placed Tanner on administrative leave. The move comes a day after the Guardian published an investigation into Tanner’s conduct. Tanner had previously been under investigation by MLS after the league received a complaint from the MLS Players Association in late January. In it, the MLSPA outlined a wide range of alleged issues surrounding Tanner, which included the use of racist, sexist and homophobic language and instances of inappropriate physical contact with a staff member. The Guardian’s investigation outlined six of the MLSPA’s eight allegations against Tanner for which supporting evidence could be found, plus other claims. The investigation involved interviews with 17 subjects as well as the review of materials that supported several of the claims against Tanner. Together, the allegations span the bulk of Tanner’s seven-year tenure in Philadelphia. Tanner told the Guardian through his legal representation that he “firmly denies these accusations, some of which are six or seven years old.” MLS had concluded its investigation in September after being unable to corroborate the allegations against Tanner, but told the Guardian it reserved the right to reopen it should new evidence be presented. “MLS recently concluded an investigation into allegations raised by the MLS Players Association, which the MLSPA noted had not been independently verified,” MLS said in a statement to the Guardian. “Following publication of a Guardian article that included new allegations and potentially new information, MLS will reopen the investigation. MLS maintains an anonymous reporting hotline and encourages anyone with relevant information to come forward.” “While a recent MLS investigation was unable to corroborate allegations involving Sporting Director Ernst Tanner,” the Union said in their own statement, “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.” In summary, the claims reported by the Guardian allege that Tanner: Made multiple misogynistic comments, including saying “women don’t belong in men’s soccer” about a female MLS referee and telling a gathering of academy players that they “should never worry about a referee, unless she’s a woman.” Directed a homophobic slur at an MLS referee in 2023 Spoke about 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 the Union’s HR department. Hired an underqualified coach who was allegedly abusive toward players on the Philadelphia Union II, the club’s reserve team that is used as a proving ground for young players from its thriving academy. In its initial investigation into the allegations against Tanner, MLS reached out to 13 potential interview subjects, promising them anonymity if needed. Eight of those 13 subjects, who the Guardian understands to be current and former players and employees of the Philadelphia Union, chose to speak with the league. The Union “fully cooperated” with the investigation, according to a club statement released earlier this week. Despite not being able to corroborate the allegations against Tanner, the league said in a statement that they required him to participate in a “structured remedial program focused on professional workplace conduct.” Tanner also underwent training on appropriate workplace conduct early on in his tenure with the club, the Union said in their statement, after he was found to have made “potentially insensitive gender-based comments,” though the club did not specify what those comments were. Tanner is amongst the most widely-respected executives in MLS history. During his seven-year tenure, the club won its first two trophies (the 2022 and 2025 Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the highest point total in the league), and they’ve regularly produced players that feature on the US national team. The Union’s academy, which Tanner helps oversee, has produced multiple players that have generated seven-figure transfer fees for the club. In 2022, Tanner was the league’s executive of the year. The Union are presently in the midst of the MLS playoffs and will face NYC FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday evening.