Skip to content

Auburn bans fan from arena for derogatory remark toward Tennessee's Vescovi

Ed Zurga / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Auburn ejected and banned a student from its arena after microphones captured someone making a xenophobic comment toward Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi during the Tigers' win at home Saturday.

During a break in first-half play, an individual was heard off-camera yelling "Go back to Uruguay! this is America!" Vescovi was born in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.

An Auburn official said the student has since been identified and will be barred from the team's arena, according to Tom Green of Al.com. The student will also be subject to further discipline from the school's office of student affairs.

Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl commended the school's swift response.

"I was informed, and I appreciate the way Auburn handled it," he said postgame, according to Josh Vitale of the Montgomery Advertiser. "That's not who we are at all. ... We are diverse, we are welcoming.

"That one person doesn't speak at all for the Auburn family."

Auburn defeated Tennessee 73-66.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox