Pittsburgh Riverhounds captain Danny Griffin has been cleared of allegations that he used racially offensive language during a game against Hartford Athletic last Saturday, according to a statement released by the Connecticut USL Championship club.
Hartford Athletic’s statement, released Friday afternoon, said the league conducted an investigation into the allegations and found them to be “unsubstantiated.”
The allegations stemmed from an argument between Griffin and Hartford Athletic’s Marlon Hairston in the waning moments of Saturday’s game.
Hartford Athletic said in its statement that the team continues to “stand behind our player and are greatful for our community’s support.”
— Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic) September 26, 2025
On Thursday, Griffin issued a statement forcefully denying the accusations, saying that he voluntarily took and passed a polygraph test in an effort to clear his name.
“I want to make it absolutely clear: I did not use a racial slur at any point during the match, nor have I at any other point in my life,” Griffin said in the statement.
