New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing told Major League Soccer that Toronto FC head coach John Herdman, who is accused of punching a player during a postgame altercation at Yankee Stadium in March, has been suspended. He called for a full investigation to be launched into the allegations made over the weekend.
Cushing denied the allegations and began a virtual media release on Monday, telling reporters that the club had “actively asked MLS to investigate the incident.”
Hardman said after the game Saturday night after a particularly heated game between NYCFC and Toronto, which included an on-field brawl after New York won 3-2 at BMO Field. The incident was revealed at a press conference.
“I categorically deny any involvement or incident in which I punched or assaulted a Toronto FC player,” Cushing said Monday. According to The Athletic. “Personally, I am shocked. I am angry at the allegations.”
Cushing did not speculate beyond his initial comments and said MLS and the club’s lawyers would work on the investigation.
Toronto’s head coach claimed Saturday that he received an “off the record” report from a 19-year-old player on his team that he was “cornered and punched in the face” during a March 16 game between the Eastern Conference teams. club.
The incident reportedly occurred in the tunnel, and there were two cameras outside the locker room. NYCFC sent the footage to the league in March, but the league has not contacted them about the incident. It is said that there was not.
According to The Athletic, the player Cushing allegedly punched was forward Jahquille Marshall-Ratti.
He is also the only 19-year-old on Toronto FC’s roster.
Hardman doubled down on his claims at a news conference Monday, just before Cushing spoke to reporters.
“I think if you’re in the media, you have to be honest,” Hardman said. “The honest information that was given to me by the team and the young players was that they were involved in that altercation. As a coach, I have to believe in the players, support them and cheer them on. yeah.”
MLS told The Athletic that it is aware of the situation and is investigating the matter.
Saturday’s brawl saw both teams shoving each other, separating Toronto goaltender Sean Johnson and New York City FC defender Strahinja Tanasijevic from the center of it.
NYCFC has two games scheduled this week against the Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls.
