The Major League Soccer (MLS) have opened an investigation into claims that Reggae Boy, Damion Lowe was racially abused by an opponent during Inter Miami’s 3-2 victory over DC United.

The ugly altercation between the pair took place in the 62nd minute of the MLS fixture, with the duo pushing and shoving each other after Lowe was unhappy with the Greek’s challenge.

After a second-half exchange between both players resulted in a lengthy delay, both players received yellow cards and Fountas was promptly substituted.

Miami Coach Phil Neville said the clash was over the use of a racial slur.

“A word was used that I think is unacceptable in society,” Neville said. “A word was used that I think is the worst word in the world.”

Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin said Lowe was walking away after a tussle with Fountas when “the guy called him the n-word” and teammate Aimé Mabika reacted angrily.

Lowe, who is Jamaican, and Mabika, who is Zambian, are Black. Yedlin said Miami decided to “not continue until something was done with that player.”

Fountas, who scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season moments before, was not made available for comment amid an investigation by the club, MLS and the Professional Referee Organization, a United spokesman said.

Referee Ismail Elfath told a pool reporter that no official had heard racist or abusive language and that none was detected via video review.

“The referee came over and spoke to me and Phil, and there was a complaint, which I’m sure will get investigated,” United Coach Wayne Rooney said. “So there’s nothing really much more I can say.”

In a statement, United said: “D.C. United are aware of the allegations involving a player during the match against Inter Miami CF. The club will work closely with Major League Soccer and Inter Miami to investigate the incident.”

“MLS has zero tolerance for abusive and offensive language and we take these allegations very seriously,” the league said in a statement. “An investigation into this matter will begin promptly.”