ATLANTA (AP) 鈥� Angel Reese has accepted Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello’s apology for an inappropriate comment about the Atlanta Dream star.
The WNBA one game for being overheard calling Reese a 鈥減rotected species鈥� during over the Tempo on Friday.
鈥淔irst, I appreciate Sandy鈥檚 apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I鈥檝e had for the last 48 hours,” Reese said before the Dream played the Chicago Sky on Sunday. 鈥淚t has been very overwhelming with a lot of love and also other things. But I am grateful that the league did take action.鈥�
Brondello’s comment about Reese was picked up by the broadcast after Toronto player Nyara Sabally went down with an injury and was called for a foul following contact with Reese.
on social media and Reese posted 鈥淎RE WE SURPRISED?!鈥� after the game, tagging Brondello鈥檚 account, followed by a clown face emoji.
Brondello, who is in her first season with the expansion Tempo, is Australian. The 鈥減rotected species鈥� phrase is used in Australian sports to express frustration for a lack of calls against a player. However, in the U.S., the phrase suggests that someone isn鈥檛 human and could be seen as derogatory toward Black people.
鈥淭here is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone – from fans to coaches to players,鈥� Reese said on Sunday. “And I鈥檓 just grateful that we are able to move on from the situation and just play winning basketball. The WNBA is supposed to be positive and we are going in a great light right now, so I just want to continue that and move forward.鈥�
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