Red Sox permanently ban fan from Fenway for directing racial slur at another guest

The Boston Red Sox's zero tolerance toward racism at Fenway Park has already resulted in at least one ejection.

"During Tuesday night's Red Sox-Orioles game, it was reported to Red Sox security that a racial slur was used in a comment from one fan to another," the club said in a statement. "The offending individual was promptly ejected from the ballpark, and has since been notified they are no longer welcome at Fenway Park.

"The Red Sox organization will not tolerate the use of racial slurs at Fenway Park, and we have apologized to those affected. There is no place for racial epithets at Fenway Park, in baseball, or in our society. The Red Sox turned the matter over to the Boston Police Department, who will further investigate with their civil rights unit and determine whether it merits further action."

Red Sox president Sam Kennedy acknowledged that it's difficult to enforce a lifetime ban, but he's confident the club will do all it can in order to make sure the offender does not return to the ballpark.

"We're going to have to work really hard with our security operation," Kennedy said, according to Tim Britton of the Providence Journal. "We know who the person is, and we will work hard to do everything we can. It's unprecedented, so it may be difficult. But I can tell you this was an individual game buyer, not a season-ticket holder."

Tensions have been high at Fenway Park this week after Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones complained Monday that he was called the N-word by fans at the ballpark.

The Red Sox quickly apologized to Jones and the Orioles and promised to implement more security and stiffer penalties for those accused of uttering racist slurs to anyone at the ballpark.