A former D.C. United athletic trainer has sued the MLS club, alleging he was defamed by the organization when it fired him for making what it called a discriminatory hand gesture.
Reade Whitney, 37, is seeking $7.5 million, according to documents filed Friday in U.S. District Court. A United spokesman said Saturday that the team declined to comment.
Whitney, who worked for United for two years, was fired July 21, three days after making an upside-down okay symbol with his right hand during a staff photo taken on the National Mall during MLS All-Star Game festivities.