Romeo Parkes has had his contract terminated by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
The 25-year-old Jamaican kicked New York Red Bulls player Karl Ouimette in the back after Ouimette had been sent off from a USL match on Saturday night. A Canadian international, Ouimette was on a short-term loan to Red Bulls II.
“I want to apologise to the fans and the Red Bulls II organization, as well as Karl Ouimette, for what transpired at the game last night,” Riverhounds owner Tuffy Shallenberger said in a club statement.
“Romeo’s actions are not representative of what our organisation and its Academy stands for in regards to helping promote and grow this sport in not only the Greater Allegheny area, but also nationwide.
“We understand the severity of this situation and made it a point to respond as quickly as possible within our power.”
Shallenberger and the Riverhounds cited conduct detrimental to the team and the United Soccer League when announcing the decision, which Pittsburgh head coach Mark Steffens supported.
"This is an unfortunate situation and one that was embarrassing for not only myself, but also the staff and the organisation,” Steffens said.
“The discipline being handed out is one that we, as staff, consider to be fair and completely justified. The actions were not representative of what this team stands for as a whole.”
Ouimette was stretchered off the field, but was later able to travel with the rest of the Red Bulls II side back to the New York area.
- Goal