FC Cincinnati is facing significant backlash after revoking the credentials of reporter Laurel Pfahler and publicly criticizing her by name with generalized accusations. The club accused Pfahler of inaccurate reporting on multiple player transfer stories, including one about Alvaro Barreal, claiming she's being punished for simply talking with sources, aka doing her job. The move has sparked widespread condemnation, with many seeing it as a punishment for Pfahler's journalistic duties. The situation has escalated to the point where it's considered an embarrassment for Major League Soccer (MLS), prompting discussions on whether the league office should intervene.
Multiple sources tell ESPN that #FCCincy temporarily revoked the credential of beat reporter Laurel Pfahler after after questioning the accuracy of her reporting relating to multiple player transfer stories, including one related to Alvaro Barreal. https://t.co/IeMBo8RyCf
FC Cincinnati's decision to ban a local journalist is inciting even more widespread condemnation and becoming an embarrassment for MLS. 🔽 https://t.co/607pmqTXJI
This is when a smart sports league — especially one that wants to be treated press-wise as other major U.S. sports — steps in as the league office and ends it. We'll see what @MLS and @MLS_PR do here. https://t.co/YwmKoCJtgM
FC Cincinnati has not only revoked reporter Laurel Pfahler's credentials but released a statement calling her out by name with some generalized accusations. Pfahler claims she's being punished for simply talking with sources, aka doing her job. READ: https://t.co/5ZeErKUoR2 https://t.co/KcJSO9Vn8B
FC Cincinnati tries to defend ban of Laurel Pfahler, takes even more criticism https://t.co/SSBi9tCDvw https://t.co/tMoLPWNEaf