Parents of benched US soccer star tried to blackmail coach into playing son at World Cup

Jack Birle

January 04, 05:44 PM January 04, 05:44 PM

The parents of American soccer player Giovanni Reyna allegedly contacted the U.S. Soccer Federation with allegations of abuse by coach Greg Berhalter toward his current wife in 1991.

The alleged blackmailing attempt came after Reyna saw less playing time during the World Cup. Berhalter then revealed details of the allegations against him in a lengthy statement on Twitter.

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"One night, while out drinking at a local bar, Rosalind and I had a heated argument that continued outside. It became physical and I kicked her in the legs," Berhalter said. "The lessons learned from that night over three decades ago became the foundation for a loving, devoted, and supportive relationship, which we honored and celebrated with our 25th wedding anniversary this past weekend."

In response to Berhalter's statement, Reyna's mother, Danielle Reyna, responded by saying she had reported the allegations to U.S. Soccer in December and that she was disappointed with how her son was treated during the World Cup.

"Without going into detail, the statements from yesterday significantly minimize the abuse on the night in question. Rosalind Berhalter was my roommate, teammate and best friend, and I supported her through the trauma that followed," Danielle Reyna said in a statement per ESPN.

U.S. Soccer said in a statement Tuesday they had opened an investigation into the allegations and that a separate review is underway evaluating Berhalter's future as coach with the team after his performance in the World Cup.

"We appreciate Gregg and Rosalind coming forward to speak openly about this incident. Consistent with our commitment to transparency, we will share the results of the investigation publicly when it is complete. U.S. Soccer condemns violence of any kind and takes such allegations very seriously," the organization said.

This is the latest incident involving Reyna and comes a month after reports surfaced that he was the player Berhalter almost sent home during the World Cup for a lack of effort.

World Cup 2022: Topless Argentina fan could be jailed for 'indecent' celebration

Misty Severi

December 19, 10:54 AM December 19, 10:55 AM

A female Argentinian fan who celebrated the nation's World Cup win by going topless could face jail time for violating local customs.

A fan at the World Cup in Qatar was spotted taking her top off in celebration of Argentina’s victory over France during a penalty shootout. However, international fans are expected to follow dress codes that are laid about the hosting country, which are strict for women in the conservative Middle Eastern country.

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"Visitors (men as well as women) are expected to show respect for local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothing in public," the Qatar Tourism Authority said. "It is generally recommended for men and women to ensure their shoulders and knees are covered."

The unnamed Argentinian woman was escorted from the stadium after she failed to cover herself properly and could face jail time, according to the Daily Mail. However, it is not clear how long of a sentence the woman would face. Women at the international event were required to wear shirts that covered their shoulders while wearing skirts, dresses, or pants that covered their knees. Fans were warned of the restrictions prior to the tournament.

Another fan, Croatian model Ivana Knoll, rejected Qatar's restrictions and posted pictures of herself in swimsuits while at the competition. Knoll said she was not afraid of getting arrested and did not care about the country's customs.

Argentina defeated France during the event's final match on Sunday after the championship went into overtime. Argentina took the crown after scoring four goals in a penalty shootout against France's two, marking its first World Cup title since 1986 and its fourth title overall.

The victory for the South American nation is a stunning turnaround from its performance last month, when Saudi Arabia shocked the world by defeating it 2-1.