Berhalter cleared by U.S. Soccer investigation, remains candidate for
coaching job
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[March 14, 2023]
(Reuters) - An investigation into former U.S. coach Gregg
Berhalter's dispute with his wife outside a bar in 1992 concluded
that U.S. Soccer was not in the wrong for hiring him as the national
team coach, the federation said on Monday.
The investigators' conclusions mean there is now no legal impediment
to employing Berhalter, who remains a candidate for the coaching job
which is now held by Anthony Hudson on an interim basis.
The investigation came about after Berhalter criticised U.S.
midfielder Gio Reyna, who he said had not met expectations at the
World Cup in Qatar, with Reyna's mother Danielle informing the
federation of the 1992 incident.
Danielle and Berhalter's wife Rosalind were previously college room
mates and soccer team mates.
Berhalter has said he regrets kicking his wife of 25 years in the
legs during the dispute and that they ultimately reconciled and
learned from the incident.
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"Based on the facts obtained throughout the investigation, the legal
analysis conducted by Alston & Bird leads us to conclude that the
fact of the 1992 incident does not prevent an employer from
employing Mr Berhalter," the report said.
"Given that the 1992 incident occurred approximately 31 years ago
and given the lack of information or any evidence contradicting
witness accounts or suggesting any similar conduct after that
incident, there is no basis to conclude that employing Mr Berhalter
would create legal risks for an organization."
The investigators said they were impressed with Berhalter's "candor
and demeanor" during the investigation and that he had cooperated
fully and extensively.
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![](../images/031423PIX/sports39.jpg)
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar
2022 - Round of 16 - Netherlands v United States - Khalifa
International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 3, 2022 U.S. coach
Gregg Berhalter throws a ball during the match REUTERS/Matthew
Childs
![](../images/ads/current/graue_lda_4_2021.png)
However, they said they were "less impressed" with the Reynas'
cooperation.
"After several attempts to schedule an interview, we had two brief
phone conversations with Mrs Reyna on December 29th, and we did not
succeed in having a follow-up conversation with her –or any
conversation with Mr. Reyna – after that," it said.
"Mrs. Reyna's story evolved over the course of the investigation."
U.S. Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart had also decided to
vacate his position amid an ongoing shakeup at the organization,
which said interviews were underway to hire his replacement.
"The Sporting Director will lead the process of determining who will
serve as head coach of the Men's National Team," U.S. Soccer said.
"Given the investigators' conclusion that there is no legal
impediment to employing him, Gregg Berhalter remains a candidate to
serve as head coach of the Men's National Team."
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru)
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