Ex-Riverhounds Star Apologizes For Kicking Incident
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A former star of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds is apologizing for his actions during a match this weekend.
Romeo Parkes kicked New York Red Bulls II defender Karl Ouimette in the back late in the second half of a 3-1 loss on Saturday.
In the following hours, the team terminated his contract, saying his actions did not represent what the team stands for.
"It was something that was detrimental to the team and it was something that we felt we needed to act swiftly on and also responsibly on," Riverhounds Media Manager Anthony Meier said.
In the second half, a scrum ensued after Riverhounds defender Willie Hunt was fouled near midfield. Parkes and Ouimette were spoken to by the ref and both were shown red cards. As Ouimette walked away, Parked kicked him in the back with his spikes
Ouimette was stretchered off.
Parkes has since apologized saying his action was "wrong and inappropriate."
To the fans, my teams, the city of PGH, NY Red Bulls 2 and the USL, I recognized that my action was wrong and inappropriate.
— Romeo Parkes (@ovando678) May 8, 2016
and I sincerely apologize and regret my actions. Despite the continous altercation throughout the game my further action after I was carded
— Romeo Parkes (@ovando678) May 8, 2016
Was unwarrented and i ask for my fans, the league and my teammates as well as the New York Red Bulls to accept my sincere apology.
— Romeo Parkes (@ovando678) May 8, 2016
Today, the talk on 93-7 The Fan was all about if Parkes should face criminal charges.
"I don't know if I've ever seen anything like this. It's appalling," 93-7 The Fan's Colin Dunlap said.
"If you do that anywhere else on the planet, you get arrested," 93-7 The Fan's Josh Miller said.
When KDKA-TV's Christine D'Antonio showed the video to people today, the reactions were one-sided.
"That's terrible," one woman said.
"I couldn't believe that someone would do that," Richard Wilson said.
Furthermore, Pittsburghers supported the Riverhounds' decision to cut ties with Parkes.
"It shows that you can't just get away with whatever you want to do just cause you lost your temper or whatever. You're supposed to be teaching kids how to have sportsmanship. That's not how it's done," Bob Warnock said.
While Parkes won't play for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds again, his future with the USL is currently up in the air while the league investigates.
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