It’s one thing to be a passionate fan beefing with an opposing fanbase on social media, but another to be the executive of a team and talking like a moron. Douglas A. Cifu, who is listed on the Panthers website as the team’s “Vice Chairman, Partner & Alternate Governor” has been suspended by the NHL indefinitely after a reply he sent to a Maple Leafs fan went public before he locked is account.
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Cifu was baited into the engagement by a Twitter user called “Dr. Grizzo,” who has admitted he was attempting to bait the Panthers executive with his comments — but nonetheless was stunned he received a response like this.
The nature of Cifu’s comments referring to Canada as the 51st state, as well as his political comments are what the league took exception with, saying in a statement:
“The NHL has concluded that Mr. Cifu’s X posts were unacceptable and inappropriate. As a result, Mr. Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Club and the NHL,” the league said in a statement. “An in-person meeting will be scheduled with Mr. Cifu and the Commissioner at a date to be determined.”
The Panthers are currently locked in a very physical 2-2 series with the Maple Leafs as both teams try to move on to the Stanley Cup. Emotion has boiled over several times between the players, and now apparently with the owners too.
At this time the Florida Panthers have not issued a statement regarding Cifu’s comments.
