– It is a historic arrangement, says Eivind Bisgaard Sundet, football commentator in Viaplay, to news. On Tuesday, Gregg Berhalter, the coach of the US men’s national soccer team, published a shocking message on Twitter. There he admitted to having kicked his wife in the leg 31 years ago. – During the World Cup in Qatar, someone contacted the American Football Association and said they had information that would damage my reputation, writes Berhalter in the Twitter message. Based on this, Berhalter and his wife Rosalind Berhalter chose to tell the story of the violent episode in 1991 in the Twitter post. The relationship is being investigated by the football association. Now history has taken a turn that has sent shock waves through American football. EXPLANATION: Gregg Berhalter chose to post an explanation on his own Twitter account. Photo: Screenshot Twitter / @GreggBerhalter_ – All this is strange On Wednesday, the former American national team captain Claudio Reyna and his wife Danielle Reyna confirmed that they had sent the messages to the football association, reports ESPN. The Reyna couple are the parents of Borussia Dortmund star Giovanni “Gio” Reyna (20), who also plays for the American national team. The Reyna family denies having threatened or pressured the national team coach, which Berhalter tells about in the Twitter post, without mentioning his name. Claudio Reyna, current sporting director of Austin FC, and Berhalter, have a relationship that spans several decades. They played youth, secondary and national team football together. Their wives, Danielle Reyna and Rosalind Berhalter, were roommates for several years at the University of North Carolina. – They were friends in the old days. It’s like an American soap opera. All this is strange, says Sundet about the family feud. Reacting to the coach’s actions It all started when the national team coach came out after the World Cup exit and said that the USA had a player who did not meet expectations on or off the pitch during the championship. Furthermore, he said that the tenants had been ready to book a plane ticket home. The day after the statements, Reyna confirmed that the statement applied to him in an Instagram post on her own account. SKUFFA: Giovanni “Rio” Reyna was criticized by his own coach after his behavior during the World Cup in Qatar. Photo: WOLFGANG RATTAY / Reuters It was these comments from Berhalter that prompted Danielle Reyna to tell the sporting director of the American Football Association about Berhalter’s violent episode. In a statement she says: – I thought it was very unfair that Gio, who had apologized for childish behavior around little playtime, was dragged into the mud when Gregg was forgiven for doing something much worse when he was the same age. Berhalter must have been 18 when he fired his wife. Gio Reyna is 20. – Not an optimal situation Sundet is in agreement with Danielle Reyna, who believes the son was treated unfairly. The football commentator has followed Reyna closely in the Bundesliga. – Gio seems like a pleasant and nice boy, who has done the best he can. In my opinion, Gio is the most creative player the USA has. He believes the drama could have consequences for Berhalter’s future as national team coach: – It is not easy when what is likely to be the biggest star is in conflict with the coach. It is difficult for the association. The USA will host the World Cup in four years. Sundet believes that the next few years will be very important for the nation. – Then this situation is not optimal, notes Sundet. – The father, who is very well known in the USA, probably also has a lot of informal power in American football, he adds. On 26 January, national team manager Berhalter must gather the team again as Serbia awaits at home in a private international match.
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