YUKON PD WILL NO LONGER WORK RAYO OKC MATCHES

The Yukon Police Department will no longer provide security at the remaining Rayo OKC soccer matches this season after an incident at the previous home match involving one of its officers and a fan.

The incident at the club's Sept. 18 match vs. Fort Lauderdale involved officer Scott Franklin, a military veteran, and Francisco Espinoza, the Hispanic leader of the Rayo's Red Army supporters group. Franklin confronted Espinoza, a Chilean citizen who is in the U.S. on a work permit, shortly after kickoff for not standing during the pre-match playing of the national anthem. A heated discussion between the two ultimately led to Espinoza's removal from Miller Stadium.

A spokesperson from both the Yukon police and Rayo OKC confirmed the police officers would no longer provide security at upcoming home matches. The Yukon Police Department had provided up to six officers for each home match. The police department considered these officers as private security under Rayo employment during the matches.