Multiple sources tell The Athletic that FC Cincinnati head coach Ron Jans used a racial slur — the N-word — in front of a group of players earlier this preseason. The league and MLS Players Association are aware of the incident, which will be independently investigated.



The sources said that the club held a meeting with players about the incident on Friday afternoon at the team’s preseason camp in Florida, and added that an attorney from the MLSPA met with Cincinnati players about it on Friday morning. FC Cincinnati said in a statement that Jans would be stepping aside from his coaching duties while an investigation is completed.



It was not clear whether Jans directed the word toward a player or group of players, or if he said it in some other context. FC Cincinnati’s roster includes a number of people of color.



Multiple sources tell The Athletic that when confronted over his use of the term, Jans claimed he was quoting...