New York City FC coach Nick Cushing is calling on Major League Soccer to fully investigate allegations made over the weekend by Toronto FC head coach John Herdman that he punched a player during an altercation following a game at Yankee Stadium in March.
Cushing denied the allegation and opened a virtual press briefing Monday by telling reporters that the club “proactively asked MLS to investigate the incident.”
Herdman brought the incident to light during a post-match press conference Saturday night after a particularly fiery match between NYCFC and Toronto, which included an on-field brawl after New York cruised to a 3-0 victory. 2 on BMO land.
“I categorically deny any involvement or incident in which I hit or assaulted any Toronto FC player,” Cushing said Monday, according to The Athletic. “I am personally shocked. I am distressed by this allegation.
Cushing did not extrapolate beyond the initial comment and said MLS and the club’s lawyers would handle the investigation.
Toronto’s head coach alleged Saturday that there was an “unofficial” report from a 19-year-old player on the team that he was “pinned and punched in the face” during the March 16 game between the two Eastern Conference. clubs.
The incident reportedly took place in the tunnel and there were two cameras outside the locker room, footage of which NYCFC reportedly sent to the league in March and never heard back about the incident.
Forward Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty is believed to be the player Cushing hit, The Athletic reported.
He is also the only 19-year-old player on Toronto FC’s roster.
Herdman doubled down on his claims during a news conference Monday that took place just before Cushing spoke with reporters.
“I think if you’re in the media, you have to speak honestly,” Herdman said. “The honest information that was relayed by the team and by the young player was that they had participated in this altercation. As a coach, I have to believe in my players, support them and support them.
MLS told The Athletic it was aware of the situation and was looking into the matter.
Saturday’s brawl saw both teams jostling and having to be separated with Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson and NYCFC defender Strahinja Tanasijević at the center of it all.
NYCFC has two matches coming up this week with the Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls.
New York Post
