FC Cincinnati recently made the controversial decision to temporarily revoke the press credential of local beat reporter Laurel Pfahler. This action came as a direct result of a heated dispute over Pfahler’s reporting of some of the club’s player transactions. Sources close to the situation revealed that the MLS club decided to suspend Pfahler’s credential for a period of two weeks, effective from a week ago Friday. The reporter, who produces content for the Queen City Press, informed her readers of the suspension only two days later.
In response to the revoked credential, FC Cincinnati issued a statement that criticized Pfahler’s professionalism and ethical standards. The club accused the reporter of failing to adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Society of Professional Journalists and the MLS Notice of Credentials Use Conditions. The statement further claimed that Pfahler neglected to take responsibility for her actions despite multiple attempts to establish a positive working relationship between her and the club. FC Cincinnati refused to disclose specific details of the dispute, citing professional decorum.
Pfahler fired back with a statement of her own, accusing the club of “bullying” tactics. She adamantly denied any violations of journalism ethics or MLS Credential guidelines. Pfahler contested the notion that confining interviews and conversations solely to team-approved sources is an appropriate method of covering a professional sports franchise. She expressed confusion over the club’s decision to revoke her press credential based on her interactions with non-affiliated sources.
Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that FC Cincinnati took issue with the accuracy of Pfahler’s reporting on several player transaction stories. The club allegedly objected to specific details in stories related to the loan of Álvaro Barreal to a Brazilian Serie A side. Pfahler’s reporting that Barreal’s departure was not due to dissatisfaction with the club raised concerns within the organization. Additionally, FC Cincinnati criticized the reporter for failing to seek verification on transfer stories before publication.
The club maintained that Pfahler violated Section 12 of the MLS Notice of Credentials Use Conditions, which expressly prohibits the misappropriation of any description or account related to club events. FC Cincinnati contends that Pfahler’s reporting breached this section by disseminating details without proper authorization. The club took particular issue with the unauthorized transmission of certain player transaction details.
Amidst the escalating conflict, the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) attempted to intervene by arranging discussions between MLS officials and the club. NASR, an advocacy group representing journalists covering the sport in the region, sought to facilitate a resolution to the credential dispute. The Society of Professional Journalists expressed disapproval of Cincinnati’s decision to deny press credentials based on perceived violations of professional conduct.
Laurel Pfahler has a long-standing history of covering FC Cincinnati, dating back to the club’s inaugural season in the USL Championship in 2016. A freelance writer for the Dayton Daily News, Pfahler has also contributed to major outlets such as ESPN, The Athletic, and WCPO.com. Her credential, which was temporarily suspended, is set to be reinstated in time for FC Cincinnati’s upcoming home match against New York City FC on March 23.
The clash between FC Cincinnati and beat reporter Laurel Pfahler underscores the ongoing challenges faced by journalists covering professional sports organizations. The suspension of Pfahler’s press credential raises important questions about the boundaries between independent reporting and club-approved content. As the situation unfolds, both parties must navigate complex ethical considerations to ensure transparency and professionalism in their interactions.