MLS to look at Portland Timbers' handling of Andy Polo domestic abuse allegation

Major League Soccer has launched a review into the Portland Timbers' handling of the domestic violence allegations against midfielder Andy Polo, the league confirmed to ESPN in a statement Friday.

A report from The Athletic added that the Timbers didn't notify MLS of last year's domestic violence call at Polo's home, as is customary in these types of situations. In May, police were called to Polo's residence in Oregon, and Timbers employees also responded and spoke to officers there.

When Polo's ex-partner went public with allegations last week, Polo was suspended and then had his contract terminated by MLS and the Timbers.

«Following the allegations made last week against Andy Polo, Major League Soccer promptly launched a review into the decisions that the Portland Timbers made in response to the charges brought against the player last May,» the statement read. «The Timbers are committed to this review and have pledged their full cooperation.»

An MLS spokesperson added that the league has «engaged an outside law firm to conduct the review.»

The Timbers also released this statement: «The Portland Timbers welcome Major League Soccer's review into the handling of the May 2021 Andy Polo complaint and will cooperate fully.»

The allegations of physical and emotional abuse were made by Polo's former partner, Génessis Alarcón, on a Peruvian television show last week. Alarcón is also the mother of his children.

«He pulled my hair. I fell to the floor,» Alarcón said. «He slapped me in the face and gave me a black eye.»

Alarcón also said that Polo had failed to pay child support. An incident report from the Washington County Sheriff's Department dated May 23, 2021, revealed that Polo was «issued a citation in lieu of arrest for