Cincy suspends reporter’s credential over dispute

FC Cincinnati temporarily revoked the press credential of local beat reporter Laurel Pfahler following a dispute over her reporting of some of the club’s player transactions, sources told ESPN.

The MLS club made the decision a week ago Friday to revoke Pfahler’s credential for two weeks. Pfahler, who writes for the Queen City Press, communicated the suspension to her readers two days later.

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FC Cincinnati countered with a statement that attacked Pfahler’s professionalism. It said in part that Pfahler “has failed to act in accordance with the standards and practices of the Society of Professional Journalists and the MLS Notice of Credentials Use Conditions. She refuses to accept responsibility for her actions, despite multiple conversations and attempts at working together to forge a productive relationship between her and the club. Out of professional decorum, we will not be sharing the details publicly.”

Pfahler responded with a statement of her own, accusing Cincinnati of “bullying.” The statement also read in part: “I strongly disagree with the statement that I violated any journalism ethics or MLS Credential guidelines.

“Last week, when I asked for examples as to why I had lot credentials, I was told three situations where I spoke to sources outside of the facility or team approved interviews. I do not believe simply talking with sources within the team is how to cover a professional franchise.”

According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation, Cincinnati took issue with the accuracy of Pfahler’s reporting relating to several player transaction stories. Those sources requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to publicly discuss the situation.

Sources added that among Pfahler’s stories that the club objected to centered on the recent loan of Álvaro Barreal to Brazilian Serie A side Cruzeiro, in particular reporting by Pfahler that Barreal’s departure wasn’t because he was unhappy at the club. The team also took issue with Pfahler not reaching out to them to verify aspects of transfer stories.

Sources also indicated that the credential use conditions Pfahler is alleged to have violated center on Section 12, which states that: “Bearer agrees not to create, transmit, display, distribute, exploit, misappropriate or sell (or aid in such activity) any description or account (in any form, whether text, data or visual, and including, without limitation, play-by-play data) of the Event for any commercial, non-personal, purpose.”

Cincinnati believes that Pfahler violated the portion that refers to misappropriating any description or account, sources said.

MLS declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.

The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR), an advocacy group representing the interests of journalists covering the sport in the region, has met twice with MLS officials in an attempt to broker a resolution.

NASR told ESPN it had been advised by the Society of Professional Journalists that “We are unaware that Cincinnati attempted to use our guidelines as a mechanism to deny access to a journalist. We do not encourage or condone the denial of press credentials for journalists who conduct themselves professionally.”

Pfahler has covered FC Cincinnati, last year’s MLS Supporters’ Shield winners, since its first season in the USL Championship in 2016. She also covers the Cincinnati Bengals on a freelance basis for the Dayton Daily News. She has also written for ESPN, The Athletic and WCPO.com.

Pfahler’s credential is scheduled to be restored in time for the March 23 home match against New York City FC.

“The North American Soccer Reporters respect and understand the right of clubs to deny credentials where appropriate, whether these credentials are sought within MLS or any other number of leagues on this continent covered by our membership,” the NASR said in a statement to ESPN.

“However, we are disappointed with the lack of transparency from FC Cincinnati as to the reasons for their denial of Ms. Pfahler’s credential, and, to date, our own Executive Board efforts to obtain information regarding FC Cincinnati’s credentialing decision have been met with silence, despite requests for dialogue and information.

“The NASR understands that Ms. Pfahler stands by her reporting, which makes the need for a transparent dialogue and response from FC Cincinnati all the more important. It is incumbent on clubs, not just our member journalists, to maintain the public trust, and the failure to do so by FC Cincinnati throughout this situation is disheartening.

“Finally, the NASR board is extremely disappointed in FC Cincinnati’s recent published statement defending their decision to deny Ms. Pfahler credentials. The statement is long on accusations, including the unsubstantiated claim that Ms. Pfahler violated the MLS Notice of Credential Use Conditions, along with the inaccurate claim that Ms. Pfahler violated ethical standards established by the Society of Professional Journalists.

“Given FC Cincinnati’s reluctance to discuss their decision or support their claims with our Executive Board or Ms. Pfahler, FC Cincinnati’s statement was premature and ill-advised. As the statement impugned the integrity of an immensely respected journalist, it should be removed from FC Cincinnati’s website immediately before further damage is done to Ms. Pfahler’s reputation.”