Berhalter could return as coach after investigation

NEW YORK (AP) — Gregg Berhalter may be a candidate to continue as United States head coach after a law firm report determined he did not withhold information after domestic violence charges in 1992 involving his current wife.

The report, which was released by the United States Soccer Federation on Monday, also concluded that Berhalter’s conduct “may constitute a misdemeanor or assault on a woman.”

Berhalter’s contract ended on December 31 and Anthony Hudson, one of his assistants, was named interim manager on January 4. They will decide on the new coach when they hire a sporting director.

“My wife, Rosalind, and I respect the Federation process,” Berhalter told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Britain. “We are delighted with the sequel.”

“I’m open to all options,” he added. “It’s a job that interests me and I keep the option open.”

Alston & Bird firm carried out an investigation after former captain Claudio Reyna and his wife Danielle Egan Reyna, parents of midfielder Gio Reyna, informed the federation of the 1992 incident after Berhalter decided to give Gio less playing time in the World Cup.

He concluded that the Reyna family were not guilty of extortion, but that Claudio’s conduct may have violated the provisions of the FIFA Code of Ethics regarding conflicts of interest, the protection of integrity physical and mental abuse of position.

The investigation collected the testimony of 16 people but, according to the investigators, Claudio Reyna refused to speak, which he denied through his representative. The investigation included details of the January 1992 incident between Berhalter and Rosalind Santana.

“Mr. and Mrs. Berhalter were 18 and drinking alcohol that night; they started arguing inside the bar; they left the bar together and continued to argue,” the report said. “Outside, Ms. Berhalter punched Mr. Berhalter in the face; Mr. Berhalter pushed her to the ground and kicked her twice. No police report was filed; there were no complaints or arrests; and Ms. Berhalter did not seek medical attention.

The report describes the incident as “an isolated event, and we found no evidence that Mr. Berhalter engaged in similar inappropriate conduct at other times.”

Investigators have concluded that Claudio Reyna “used his direct line of communication with Federation leaders to grant benefits and preferential treatment to his children.”