Philadelphia Union’s sporting director Ernst Tanner placed on leave while MLS reopens investigation into alleged misconduct

Sporting director Ernst Tanner was placed on administrative leave by the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, after Major League Soccer reopened an investigation into allegations that Tanner often used racist, sexist and homophobic language and made repeated inappropriate physical contact with a staff member.

The league reopened the probe after a report on Tanner’s conduct was published by the U.S. edition of The Guardian, outlining six of the eight MLS Players Association’s allegations made against Tanner, as well as other incidents during his seven years with the Union. 

The Guardian claimed to speak with 17 unidentified sources, including current and former Union employees.

Tanner has denied the allegations. 

Major League Soccer Statement pic.twitter.com/gpxjktV6qA

— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) November 19, 2025

“Following the publication of the Guardian article that included new allegations and potentially new information, MLS will reopen the investigation.” the league said in a statement Wednesday. 

The league’s initial investigation ended with it unable to corroborate the allegations against Tanner. Even so, it required him to participate in a program addressing professional workplace conduct. The Union told the Guardian that Tanner had also undergone workplace conduct training earlier in his time with the club. 

“While a recent MLS investigation was unable to corroborate allegations involving Sporting Director Ernst Tanner, MLS has advised the Union that it will be reopening the investigation and the Union continues to cooperate fully,” the Union’s statement read. “The Union has placed Mr. Tanner on administrative leave during the investigation. Throughout this process, our top priority remains the well-being of our players, fans, staff, and community.”

Tanner, from Germany, joined the club in 2018 as its second-ever sporting director, the top position for soccer operations. Since his arrival, the club has been largely successful on the field, twice winning the MLS Supporters Shield for having the best regular season record in a season, and off it, where the team succeeds with relatively modest spending and often profits in the player transfer market. In 2022, Tanner was named MLS Sporting Executive of the Year.

The Union are currently competing in the MLS Cup postseason playoffs, and will host New York City FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals at Subaru Park at 7:45 p.m. Sunday.

The team won its second-ever Supporters Shield this season, which guarantees it homefield advantage throughout the remaining stages of the playoffs.   

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