Doug Cifu, the minority owner of the Florida Panther’s NHL team, has been suspended by the league after making what were deemed “unacceptable” comments during an online row with a fan.
Cifu, who is Jewish, was reportedly responding to remarks made by a Toronto Maple Leaf’s fan concerning the two teams’ ongoing playoff series.
The fan, under the username Dr Grizzo, tagged Cifu in a post, saying: “Hey, what’s worse, using headshots to win a series or using starvation as a weapon to win a war?”
The “headshots” reference is understood to relate to accusations from some Maple Leaf fans that Panthers players had made illegal tackles on opponents in recent games, while the latter comment refers to the ongoing dispute over Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
In response, Cifu said: “Actually being a whiny dope antisemite is clearly worse. Loser.”
However, the conversation became heated when Grizzo asked “not approving of using starvation as a weapon makes me a bigot?”, as well as making reference to Cifu’s financial success and personal politics.
This prompted an angry response from the executive, who said: “Eat s*** 51st state antisemite loser.
"Israel now and forever. Until ever [sic] last Hamas rat is eliminated.”
The 51st state comment is believed to be a reference to President Trump’s stated ambition to make Canada the 51st US state.
However, NHL authorities soon announced that they would suspend Cifu over his comments, calling them “unacceptable and inappropriate".
A statement from the league read: “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 suspension will remain in place at least until Cifu has a face-to-face meeting with the league’s commissioner Gary Bettman.
He also issued a personal apology for the tweets yesterday, telling Florida Hockey Now: “Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media.
“My behaviour does not reflect the standards of the Florida Panthers organisation... I sincerely apologise to all those affected by my comments. I am committed to working with the NHL to amend my actions.”
