CHICAGO — MLS has hired an outside law firm to investigate how the Portland Timbers handled domestic violence allegations involving midfielder Andy Polo. The Timbers terminated the Peruvian soccer player’s contract last week after his former partner accused him of abuse. Polo was initially suspended by his club and the league.
Later, a Washington County police report emerged that officers went to Polo’s home in May and two Timbers employees did the same during an earlier investigation.
Polo was summoned to court for a minor harassment case, but did not face an indictment. The player has denied the accusations.
On Friday, MLS confirmed the outside investigation, originally reported by The Atlantic.
For its part, the club issued a statement.
“The Portland Timbers welcome MLS’s review of its handling of the May 2021 complaint against Andy Polo, and we will fully cooperate with it,” the team said.
Genesis Alarcón alleged on Peruvian television that Polo, 27, physically and emotionally abused her and her children. He added that the player had stopped paying child support.
The accusations were taken up by the newspaper La República.
Last week, the Timbers acknowledged that the team was aware of the May dispute at Polo’s home. However, the club exercised an option in December to renew his contract. Polo has pointed out that the accusations are baseless.
The player was part of the Peruvian national team squad for the 2018 World Cup. He played 37 games with the Blanquirroja.
He played for the Timbers for the past four seasons, scoring two goals and appearing in 69 games. He missed much of the previous season due to injury.
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MLS opens investigation into Andy Polo case