Impact’s Lefevre reinstated by MLS after grievance, apology

Wandrille Lefevre was reinstated by Major League Soccer on Friday shortly after he apologized for a controversial Instagram post that led to him being suspended indefinitely by the Montreal Impact.

The Impact suspended the defender indefinitely on Wednesday after he posted a picture of himself holding a gun, with a caption in French saying “prevention is better than the cure” with U.S. President Donald Trump in power. Lefevre apologized for the post in a tweet Friday.

The league issued a statement later Friday saying it will reinstate Lefevre immediately based on its review the case. The review was a result of a grievance filed by the Major League Soccer Players Union shortly after the suspension was announced.

“As a result of that review, and in light of the player’s statement today, the suspension has been rescinded and Wandrille Lefevre is eligible to play this weekened,” the league said.

Lefevre explained his actions in Friday’s apology, claiming the gun he was holding in the picture was an air pistol.

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“I was at a recreation facility that allows children to use the same air pistol, and I was aiming it at a target in a controlled setting,” he said. “I realize, however, how the post could be interpreted and apologize for any insensitivity on my part.”

He also said the picture’s caption, which was punctuated by a winking emoji, was meant to be amusing rather than threatening, but admits his attempt at humour “obviously fell short.”

“I want to be absolutely clear that I do not in any way condone gun violence, and I will be more careful in the future as it relates to social media,” he said.

Lefevre, 27, is in his fifth season with the Impact. The Chartres, France native, a product of the team’s academy, became a Canadian citizen in 2015.

Montreal hosts expansion Atlanta United on Saturday afternoon.

The Canadian Press