Alejandro Bedoya, American Soccer Player Uses On-Field Microphone to Tell Congress to ‘End Gun Violence’ after Scoring a Goal in Major Soccer League

Alejandro Bedoya won’t be punished by US Major League Soccer (MLS) officials for grabbing a field microphone and asking the Congress to end gun violence. The incident occurred after Bedoya had scored a third-minute goal for Philadelphia Union in their MLS match against D.C. United and immediately grabbed the field microphone to deliver a political message to Congress. Philadelphia Union eventually went on to win the game beating D.C. United by a 5-1 margin. Harry Maguire’s Proud Mother Shares His Childhood Photo after Manchester United Signs Him As World’s Most Expensive Defender (See Tweet).

“Hey Congress, do something now, end gun violence, let’s go!” Bedoya was quoted as saying to the public on the microphone after scoring his side’s opening goal in the 5-1 win. The 32-year-old’s comments came in the wake of two successive mass shootings in the United States inside a single day.

Alejandro Bedoya's Message To USA Congress

Bedoya’s message was, however, vague and couldn’t be heard clearly in the stadium. Earlier also Bedoya had put out a tweet regarding the same matter just before the game. “We can start with stricter background checks, red flag laws, making a registry for gun purchases, closing gun show loopholes, and taxing ammunition,” he has posted after 29 people were killed in El Paso and Dayton.

Meanwhile, a first mass shooting which occurred at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas on Saturday killed 20 people. Thirteen hours later, in a second mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, another 10 people were left dead. Bedoya, however, received full support from his teammates and coach.

“The Philadelphia Union support Alejandro Bedoya,” Philadelphia Union team were quoted as saying said in a statement by New York Times. “He is taking a stand. The events that transpired this weekend across the country are deplorable. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.”

Union coach Jim Curtin said after the game, “I’m on Alejandro’s team on the Philadelphia Union and I’m on Alejandro’s team in support of his comments on gun control.” Curtin called the number of mass shootings in the United States “outrageous.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2019 10:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).