Professional soccer player Miles Robinson is blaming a “racist” bartender for his arrest last weekend concerning a $5 shot.
The Atlanta United defender was arrested on one count of misdemeanor theft for allegedly refusing to pay for a shot he took at PBR Atlanta, a bar near Truist Park, even after management and authorities reportedly told Robinson no charges would be pursued if he just paid the $5.
“You only want to listen to the racist bartender, you aren’t going to listen to me,” the athlete told authorities, according to an incident report obtained by Pro Soccer Wire.
The document said a bartender witnessed Robinson take the shot without paying and alerted management.
“The manager stated that all Robinson had to do was pay for the drink that was taken and he could leave,” the report detailed, but the 25-year-old allegedly refused.
When authorities arrived, a man identified as Detective Goduto from the Cobb County Police Department “explained to Robinson that he could pay his bill of $5 and he would be free to leave,” the report said.
Robinson allegedly reacted, “All this over five dollars, bro,” and told authorities that he was “a soccer player and represented the city.”
The report again stated that Robinson was told all he had to do was pay the $5 for the shot.
“Robinson would not listen but stated that the situation was because he was the only black male inside of the bar,” the incident report noted.
“Detective Goduto then explained to him that all he had to do was pay his bill and that if he did not pay the bill the manager wanted to press charges for theft,” the report continued. “Robinson once again stated all this was over five dollars.”
In the end, Robinson “did not indicate that he was going to pay the bill,” authorities said, so the athlete was taken into custody.
A spokesperson for Atlanta United said the team was “aware” of the arrest.
“We are aware of a recent misdemeanor arrest involving Miles Robinson,” the spokesperson said. “We are continuing to gather all information related to the incident and will not have further comment at this time.”
Robinson, who also plays for the U.S. men’s national team, was reportedly released on $150 bond.
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