The “third party” US men’s soccer coach Gregg Berhalter referred to in a lengthy statement admitting to a physical confrontation with his wife more than 30 years ago was referring to the American midfielder’s parents. Gio Reyna.
Reyna’s father, Claudio Reyna, a former US men’s national team captain, sent several messages to US Soccer executives about the incident when it was revealed that Gio would have a limited role in the 2022 World Cup, ESPN reported. on Wednesday.
Giovanni Reyna (7) and head coach Gregg Berhalter of the USA during a Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against the Netherlands at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022, in Doha , Qatar.
(Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Claudio’s wife, Danielle, said in a statement to Fox Sports that she contacted US Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart on December 11 to “let him know that I was absolutely outraged and devastated that Gio had been put in a position so terrible and that I felt very personally betrayed by the actions of someone my family had considered a friend for decades.”
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Claudio, in his own statement, also said that he spoke to Stewart about Gio’s “World Cup experience… However, at no time did I threaten anyone, nor would I.”
An unverified Twitter account that appears to belong to Berhalter said in a statement Tuesday that a person contacted the federation with “information about me that would ‘take me down,’ an apparent effort to leverage something very personal from a long time ago to achieve the goal.” finish”. of my relationship with US Soccer” during the World Cup.
US Soccer hired a law firm to investigate the incident, and the statement said Berhalter kicked his wife in the legs in 1991 when she was a freshman in college while drinking in a bar after they had a “heated argument.” .
“There are no excuses for my actions that night; it was an embarrassing moment and one I regret to this day,” the statement said. “At that point, I immediately apologized to Rosalind, but understandably, she wanted nothing to do with me. I told my parents, family, and friends about what happened because I wanted to take full responsibility for my behavior. Rosalind also informed his parents: family and friends Although authorities were never involved in this matter, I voluntarily sought counseling to help me learn, grow and improve, one of the most valuable decisions I have ever made To this day, the type of behavior It has never been repeated.”
Danielle said the statement “significantly downplays[d] the abuse on the night in question” and it took her a long time to “forgive and accept Gregg afterwards”.
Danielle also said that despite her conversations with US Soccer, she never called for Berhalter to be fired, nor did she make any threats or blackmail attempts.
In the midst of the investigation, the federation “was made aware of possible inappropriate behavior towards several members of our staff by individuals outside our organization.”
United States captain Claudio Reyna celebrates a victory over Mexico
(Tony Marshall/EMPICS via Getty Images)
Gio Reyna’s playing time in Qatar was limited. He appeared in just two of four games, playing 53 minutes.
It was reported that Berhalter was ready to send Reyna home for an alleged lack of effort in training camp from the young player. Berhalter suggested last week that there was a player that the organization was “ready to book a plane ticket home, that’s how extreme it was.”
US SOCCER INVESTIGATES ALLEGED 1990S GREGG BERHALTER INCIDENT AFTER APPARENT BLACKMAIL PLOT
A day later, Reyna broke her silence on the story to address the statements made “that reflect my professionalism and character.”
“Just before the World Cup, Coach Berhalter told me my role in the tournament would be very limited. I was devastated,” he wrote on Instagram, admitting he let emotions get the better of him. “I am someone who plays with pride and passion. Soccer is my life and I believe in my abilities. I was hoping and desperately wanting to contribute to the game of a talented group as we tried to make a statement at the World Cup.”
A dejected Gregg Berhalter, head coach/manager of the United States, during a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match against the Netherlands at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022, in Doha, Qatar.
(James Williamson/AMA/Getty Images)
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Claudio and Berhalter played high school and youth soccer together in New Jersey, and both played for the US in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Their wives were also soccer partners for four years at the University of North Carolina. .
The US Soccer Federation announced Wednesday that current assistant coach Anthony Hudson will lead the team during a camp this month in California because the investigation into Berhalter is still ongoing.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
