New York Rangers Sean Avery accuses Philadelphia Flyers Wayne Simmonds of using homophobic slur-NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL) faced another controversy from one of the league’s most controversial players, New York Rangers’ Sean Avery, who accused Philadelphia Flyers young forward, Wayne Simmonds, of using homophobic slurs against him during one
of their preseason matchups.
Due to inconclusive proof, the NHL’s disciplinary committee was unable to charge Simmonds with anything.
"To be here now and having to answer the questions about what he did is disappointing for me", Avery told reporters after the matchup. "I'm disappointed for him".
Veteran forward, Sean Avery, was recently involved in a police case against him for shoving a police officer from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) after a complaint was registered against him for loud partying at his home in California.
Being in a fast paced game with each other, both players verbally abused each other, which according to them, is something normal due to the level of intensity and competition.
According to Simmonds, he can neither deny nor confirm the incident because during game play, there are a lot of things being said and remembering all of them is impossible, adding that it is just what guys say during the heat of the game, which should not
be taken literally.
"We were going back and forth for a while", Simmonds said. "I don't recall every single thing I did say to him. He said some things that I didn't like and I said some things he didn't like. I can't recall every single word I said”.
Given Avery’s participation in supporting a bill to allow g*y marriages in New York, it could be the reason behind someone making such comments, but he is not backing down on his stance due to some homophobic slurs.
"It's an issue that people are dealing with and trying to overcome", said Avery.
NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations, Colin Campbell, was handling the case, but due to the video which just showed Simmonds with moving lips but no audio to support the claim.
The incident was certainly frowned upon by the hockey world and according to the people involved, it should not happen ever again.
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