Douglas Cifu apology follows NHL suspension for offensive comments

Florida Panthers co-owner Douglas Cifu has been suspended from team and league activities by the NHL. It is due to a series of inflammatory and offending comments he posted on the internet while he was involved in a fight with a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. The comments talked about war, politics, and even called Canada the "51st state." These comments infuriated many people. The NHL called the posts "unacceptable" and said that Cifu must meet with the league boss before he can come back.The war broke out after the Panthers beat Game 4 against the Maple Leafs. One fan with the screen name "Dr. Grizzo" wrote a post that talked about hard hits in hockey versus war activity. Cifu responded online in a forceful manner with the fan's name. He stood up for Israel with lofty claims and had five Israeli flags listed in his profile. He told the fan to "eat s---" and used the term "51st state," which some relate to Donald Trump's suggestion to annex Canada into the U.S.People on the internet were quick to pick up on it. The next day, Cifu privatized his profile and then removed it. But it was too late. The NHL had already seen what he said and acted fast. Cifu cannot be present at any NHL or Panthers-related event until he speaks with Commissioner Gary Bettman personally. Cifu later apologized and said his actions were not fit for the Panthers. He said he would work with the league to make things better.Douglas Cifu is not just an owner of the team. He helps run the Panthers' business side and sits alongside team owner Vincent Viola. He also heads a major financial company that Viola established. When the Panthers won the Stanley Cup in 2024, Cifu had his name engraved on the trophy. Now, however, just one year later, he is suspended due to what he put on the internet.The Panthers themselves remained in the playoffs and tied 2-2 with the Leafs in a hard-fought series. But the team must also deal with the type of adversity one of their leading individuals has caused.Also Read: Douglas Cifu, Vice-Chairman Of The Florida Panthers, Was Suspended Over Comments On The Toronto Maple Leafs And Canada