A Boston firefighter filed suit against the Boston Red Sox last week, alleging racial discrimination in a 2013 incident.

Robert C. Cox, who is Black, filed a civil complaint against the baseball organization last Wednesday (March 30). The complaint says that he arrived at Boston’s Fenway Park during the 2013 World Series to perform an inspection. He was with one White and one Black colleague. The three men dressed in plainclothes and carried credentials indicating their employment with the Boston Fire Department. The complaint alleges that a security guard permitted the White firefighter to enter, but repeatedly asked the Black men for additional credentials. After a heated confrontation, Boston police escorted Cox away from the stadium. The Boston Globe did not report the race of the guard.

Cox’s complaint also says that the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the state’s primary agency for civil rights violation complaints, found last year that "probable cause existed to support [Cox’s] allegations."

The Boston Globe cited a statement from the Red Sox that includes the following: "While we typically do not comment on pending litigation, we only just became aware of this lawsuit late Friday, even though the alleged incident purportedly occurred in October, 2013. We have always made it a priority to cooperate with city safety officials at Fenway Park and intend to review this matter carefully." The Globe is owned by John Henry, who is also the principal owner of the team.

(H/t The Boston Globe, The Root)