There have been numerous instances earlier where the teams have revoked or suspended the accreditation of the journalist who represents them. Recently, MLS team FC Cincinnati revoked the credentials of writer Laurel Pfahler. The reporter also tweeted about her credentials.
#FCCincy has revoked my credential for two weeks. I stand by my reporting and will continue covering the team from afar during this time, but wanted to be transparent as to why you won't see quotes in my coverage today. https://t.co/5zRSYdTPu7
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) March 10, 2024
Pfahler mentioned, “#FCCincy has revoked my credential for two weeks. I stand by my reporting and will continue covering the team from afar during this time, but wanted to be transparent as to why you won’t see quotes in my coverage today.”
The reporter has been covering the squad since it was established in 2015. In addition, she has also been covering the club at Queen City Press, her independent site.
According to Awful Announcing she has also worked with ESPN, Cincinnati ABC affiliate WCPO, The Athletic, and Dayton Daily News, where she works for Cincinnati Bengals. However, FC Cincinnati has informed her that she will not be able to cover the team live for two weeks.
Pfahler shared, according to Awful Announcing via Patreon Post, “Since FC Cincinnati began playing in 2016, I have been in the press box for almost every home game. Most of those I’ve missed came when I took time away after the birth of my daughter. Sadly, the club told me Friday I will not have a press pass for two weeks, and so I will not be at TQL Stadium today.
I was stunned and hurt. It hurts me most because it hurts you. It impacts your ability to know more about the team you love.
I have built many great relationships with wonderful people throughout the organization since the club started. This message in no way is indicative of how I feel the club as a whole has treated me.
While I do not want to get into details of why my press credential has been revoked, I want you to know I vehemently disagree with the club on this decision. The club has not accused me of violating any guidelines listed in the MLS Notice of Credential Use Conditions. I stand by my reporting and ethics. I have covered the Cincinnati Bengals for the Dayton Daily News since 2015. I can say with confidence another professional sports team would not have revoked a credential in this case.”
Pfahler has expressed her discontent with the decision and she has not been suspected of breaking any MLS credential policies and she stands by her reporting. She had also received support from eminent personality Rachael Kriger, who is the president of North American Soccer Reporters Journalists Association.
Rest assured, the @SoccerReporters stand by you, too. We’ve reached out to MLS Communications to help with this. As president of the NASR, I won’t sit back while our members are being denied access and not given legit reasons why.
Cincinnati needs to do better. https://t.co/bl4IQToXNu
— Rachael Kriger (@RachaelKriger) March 10, 2024
MLS wants to be a league of choice that is relevant in the American sports landscape with informed, passionate fans, but doesn’t seem to want independent media who push clubs and don’t shy away from reporting hard truths.
You can’t have it both ways. https://t.co/7FhD8nJ9kb
— Ben Wright (@benwright) March 10, 2024
This is incredibly unacceptable from @fccincinnati . Dedicated independent journalists are vital to the American soccer community.
Not surprising though. This behavior has been around since day 1. On field culture has changed. Seems like change is still needed elsewhere. https://t.co/p5aH1qvBwo
— Jeremy Lance (@JeremyLance) March 10, 2024
Bad look, @fccincinnati. Might stand to remember who was covering your lousy 5 win team with a professionalism that at the time exceeded your own https://t.co/JrnJSIDWsW
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) March 10, 2024
incredibly garbage decision from the FO. Thank you for your honest reporting, especially re: the Barreal departure. MLS & MLS teams controlling their respective narratives is exhausting, and you deserve better treatment as a veteran reporter with the club
— FCC Hot Takes (@fccfuegotakes) March 10, 2024
Cincinnati Soccer Talk, as a staff, emphatically disagrees with the suspension of Laurel Pfahler.
Revoking credentials should be an act of last resort. Laurel is a consummate professional and we hope the club reconsiders immediately. https://t.co/LTSTFGRWTS— Cincy Soccer Talk (@cincysoccertalk) March 10, 2024
Oh good.. in the midst of the spotlight on International Women's Day, @fccincinnati revokes the license of a fantastic beat reporter. Keep your head up, Laurel. https://t.co/KpjA5qAK2d
— Samantha Young (@FCCdaytonGirl) March 10, 2024
Suspending a credential while not breaking any team or MLS guideline?
What a travesty from @fccincinnati and @MLS to go after a well-trusted member of the local media.
This league is slipping away from fans who were here before the sold out stadiums. https://t.co/05QyCOm9JD
— Thomas Costello (@1ThomasCostello) March 10, 2024
Journalists are the ones who bridge the gap between a club and the supporters. They tell the stories that connect the two. Clubs that recognize this maintain that connection, clubs that don’t often lose it https://t.co/qMXc2s739R
— Phil Baki (philtalksfooty.bsky.social) (@PhilTalksFooty) March 10, 2024
The community also showed support for Pfahler, further expressing their opinions on FC Cincinnati as well.
