Aug 11 Striker Peter Byers Released By Montreal Impact

Just prior to the start of their contest against the Baltimore Crystal Palace at Saputo Stadium tonight, the Montreal Impact announced the release of forward Peter Byers for what was described as “breaching the club’s policies on several occasions, and at the same time the terms of his contract” 

Known infractions have been his tardiness to team practices as well as missing at least one team meeting entirely. 

Byers had been suspended indefinitely since August 3 for breaching a team rule. Earlier this season, he had been sent to the club’s reserve team for similar reasons. The initial infraction earned him a one week stint on the reserve team and in his first game back with the big boys, Byers scored an important goal. He hadn’t scored one since. 

“Peter’s behaviour as a professional athlete was unacceptable,” declared the Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo. “Regardless of the circumstances or the player involved, if the person does not fit within the club philosophy, we have to take necessary measures.”

The Impact, while sticklers for maintaining a high standard  towards commitment, responsibility and instilling sportsmanship as well as asking their players to lead by example, they also have proven to be a very patient bunch when it came to making decisions such as releasing a player. 

While this decision was not as cut and dry as last year’s release of Sandro Grande, who was photographed literally strangling then captain Mauro Biello on the pitch after a bad loss, the Impact’s upper management surely gave enough rope to the casual, perhaps too easygoing Byers before advising him that his services were no longer necessary. 

Tags: forward \ Joey Saputo \ Montreal Impact \ NASL \ peter byers \ release \ USSF