Yunel Escobar suspended 3 days, will work with GLAAD after 'TU ERE MARICON' eye-black blunder

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar has been suspended without pay for three days after he work eye black at Saturday's game that read, "TU ERE MARICON," or "You are a faggot."

Escobar must also work with GLAAD:

From the Blue Jays:

The Toronto Blue Jays today met with Yunel Escobar, Major League Baseball and the Major League Players Association and it has been agreed upon that Escobar will be suspended for three games, beginning tonight. The suspension is the result of his decision to display an unacceptable message while participating in a Major League Game.

The salary lost by Escobar during his suspension will be directed by the Toronto Blue Jays to You Can Play and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Yunel will participate in an outreach initiative to help educate society about sensitivity and tolerance to others based on their sexual orientation. His participation will be conducted in consultation with all parties involved. Escobar will also participate in a sensitivity training program in accordance with the Blue Jays and Major League Baseball.

The Blue Jays want to reaffirm that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. The club looks forward to supporting the efforts of You Can Play and GLAAD to help promote education for players and fans alike and to help keep language like this out of the game and society.

GLAAD has just issued the following statement:

Today, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that shortstop Yunel Escobar will work with GLAAD and the You Can Play project, after he was seen with an anti-gay slur written in Spanish on his eye-black over the weekend. The team also announced that Escobar will serve a three-day suspension. GLAAD has been in conversations throughout the day with the team and with Major League Baseball (MLB) about the incident.

"Today's actions show that MLB and the Toronto Blue Jays are committed to creating an environment that all fans and families can enjoy, not a place where discriminatory language and anti-gay attitudes are accepted," said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick.

The Blue Jays released a statement last night, saying the team "(does) not support discrimination of any kind nor condone the message displayed by Yunel Escobar during Saturday’s game." In announcing Escobar's suspension and intent to work with GLAAD and You Can Play, the team today stated "The Blue Jays want to reaffirm that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. The club looks forward to supporting the efforts of You Can Play and GLAAD to help promote education for players and fans alike and to help keep language like this out of the game and society."

Last year, through our relationship with MLB, GLAAD sent a list of recommendations and suggestions to each of the teams who participated in the It Gets Better project. In 2010 we also worked with the New York Yankees on a zero-tolerance policy for anti-gay discrimination in the stands.

Comments

[John Fama]

I have ONE question...how was Escobar allowed to go out on to the field with that slur pasted on him in the first place?

[Felipebenitez1234]

If it were a slur against blacks he would be fired!! But since it involves Gays, its only 3 days suspension. thats why Gay discrimination continues. The penalty is always small for any offense against Gays!!

[Mackenzie]

If it was a slur against heterosexuals nothing would have happened but as always homosexuals making a issue over something that wasn't directed to anyone personally.