New York Red Bulls II defender Karl Ouimette was nearly drop kicked when the Pittsburgh Riverhounds striker Romeo Parkes plowed his spikes into his back near the end of their 3-1 victory.
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The altercation began when Ouimette and Parkes were both shown red cards. As Ouimette walked away from the referee, Parkes followed behind and appeared to say something to him. Moments later, Parkes kicked Ouimette in the back of his legs with undeniable intention.
Ouimette had to be stretchered off the field.
Disturbing scene in @USL: Romeo Parkes attacks Karl Ouimette. Ouimette reportedly not seriously hurt. Via @pigpen813 https://t.co/5fybeA7lEN
— FourFourTwo USA ⚽️ (@FourFourTwoUSA) May 8, 2016
Parkes was suspended immediately after the game and had his contract terminated by the Riverhounds.
"I want to apologize to the fans and the Red Bulls II organization, as well as Karl Ouimette, for what transpired at the game last night,"Tuffy Shallenberger, the owner of the Riverhounds, said in a release.
"Romeo's actions are not representative of what our organization and its Academy stands for in regards to helping promote and grow this sport in not only the Greater Allegheny area, but also nationwide."
Parkes went on to apologize for his actions, but his statement felt mostly hollow.
"To the fans, my team, the city of PGH, NY Red Bulls 2 and the USL, I recognized that my action was wrong and inappropriate and I sincerely apologize and regret my actions. Despite the continuous altercation throughout the game my further action after I was carded was unwarranted and I ask for my fans, the league and my teammates as well as the New York Red Bulls to accept my sincere apology," he wrote in a series of tweets.
[h/t NY Daily News]
