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Cifu, in posts on X, got into a back-and-forth
with a Toronto fan on Sunday night, the fan starting the
exchange by comparing hits by Florida players in this ongoing
series against the Maple Leafs to the conflict between Israel
and the Palestinians.
A post on Cifu's account shortly after, in response to the
Toronto fan, referred to the fan a “51st state anti semite
loser." President Donald Trump has often said in recent months
that he wants to see Canada added to the United States as the
51st state. That post was among those deleted not long
afterward, and the account has since been suspended.
“The NHL has concluded that Mr. Cifu’s X posts were unacceptable
and inappropriate," the league said in a statement, first
reported by The Toronto Sun. “As a result, Mr. Cifu has been
suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Club and
the NHL.”
Cifu — whose name is etched on the Stanley Cup, part of the
group that the Panthers included in that tribute after winning
their first title last year — is CEO of Virtu Financial, a
company he co-founded with Panthers owner, chairman and governor
Vincent Viola in 2008.
Cifu will have an in-person meeting with Commissioner Gary
Bettman at some point.
“My behavior does not reflect the standards of the Florida
Panthers organization and the Viola family,” Cifu said in a
statement to Florida Hockey Now. "I sincerely apologize to all
those affected by my comments. I am committed to working with
the NHL to amend my actions.”
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