Soccer taunt fail

A day after allegations surfaced that Northampton, Penn., boys soccer players used Ebola to taunt a West African opponent during an Oct. 9 game, the team’s coaches have resigned and its players could face discipline, according to a school official.

The school district finished its investigation Tuesday into whether soccer players made “inappropriate comments” to a Nazareth, Penn., player, Northampton Area School District Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik told The Morning Call of Allentown, Penn.

“The administration has conducted a thorough investigation throughout the entire day and appropriate discipline will be dispensed to any students who violated the code of conduct,” Kovalchik said.

Kovalchik would not state the actual form of discipline or how many students will face discipline. He also would not reaveal the investigation’s findings.

Coach Craig Carvin and assistant Jason Malniszyn submitted their resignations Tuesday evening, Kovalchik said.

Edward Bachert, custodian for the West African player who is 16 and came to America from Guinea about three years ago, said the teen told him he was peppered with Ebola comments. Other Nazareth players told Bachert, who was at the game but out of earshot, their opponents directed racial remarks at the teen as well.

Distressed by the alleged comments, Bachert said the teen charged a Northampton player during the game’s final minutes and was ejected.

Bachert said the investigation brings closure to the incident.

“I am glad Nazareth and Northampton took this incident very seriously and did a very thorough investigation,” Bachert said. “I think kids nowadays have to realize that their words can cause a lot of damage and you’ve got to think before you speak and be careful with what words you choose.”