NHL rules Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly did NOT direct a homophobic slur at a referee after on-ice microphones caught someone yelling 'f***ing f****t' while he protested a perceived missed call

  • The NHL has ruled that Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly did not direct a homophobic slur at an official during Monday's loss to the visiting Lightning
  • Sportsnet mics picked up what sounded like someone yelling 'f***ing f****t' with 1:51 left in the second period as Tampa was breaking for a short-handed goal
  • The NHL did not name a suspect or a specific target for the slur 
  • Broadcasters said Rielly seemed upset about a perceived missed hooking call, and was arguing with referee Brad Meier
  • However, Meier told league officials that Rielly did not say any such thing to him

By Alex Raskin Sports News Editor For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: | Updated:

Although the NHL did not accuse anyone specifically in the statement, or specify who the slur was directed at, the Sportsnet broadcasters did mention that Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (No. 44) seemed upset about a perceived missed hooking call, and was arguing with referee Brad Meier. In the clip, Rielly can be seen looking at Meier as the slur can be heard

Although the NHL did not accuse anyone specifically in the statement, or specify who the slur was directed at, the Sportsnet broadcasters did mention that Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (No. 44) seemed upset about a perceived missed hooking call, and was arguing with referee Brad Meier. In the clip, Rielly can be seen looking at Meier as the slur can be heard

The NHL has ruled that Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly did not direct a homophobic slur at an official during Monday's loss to the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning.  

Television microphones picked up what sounded like someone yelling 'f***ing f****t' with 1:51 left in the second period.  

The NHL did not accuse anyone specifically in the statement, or specify who the slur was directed at. However, the Sportsnet broadcasters did mention that Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly seemed to be upset about a perceived missed hooking call, and was arguing with referee Brad Meier at the time of the slur. 

However, the NHL probe did not find any evidence that Rielly was the culprit.  

'Following a thorough investigation, the National Hockey League has determined that Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly did not direct a homophobic slur at referee Brad Meier during last night's game with the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Arena,' Colin Campbell, the NHL Senior VP of Hockey Operations said in a statement released on Tuesday.

'League officials interviewed several of the participants in the game – including Rielly and Meier – and reviewed audio of the alleged incident. All of those interviewed adamantly denied that Rielly uttered a slut and the audio supported their statements.' 

The league cleared Morgan Rielly after it appeared as though he may have been the person who yelled a homophobic slur during Monday's Maple Leafs-Lightning game in Toronto

The league cleared Morgan Rielly after it appeared as though he may have been the person who yelled a homophobic slur during Monday's Maple Leafs-Lightning game in Toronto 

The NHL did not specify who the slur was directed at, but Rielly appeared to be yelling at referee Brad Meier. Rielly was allegedly upset about a perceived missed hooking call

The NHL did not specify who the slur was directed at, but Rielly appeared to be yelling at referee Brad Meier. Rielly was allegedly upset about a perceived missed hooking call

In the clip, Rielly can be seen looking at Meier as the slur can be heard. 

Rielly was not asked about the incident after the game, but it's likely that the media was unaware that he may have been the player who uttered the slur. 

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said the club was cooperating with the NHL's investigation. 

'The Club is aware of the reports surrounding a homophobic slur used during the Maple Leafs versus Lightning game on Monday night,' Dubas said in a statement released Monday night. 

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas (pictured) says the club is cooperating with the NHL's investigation into the matter

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas (pictured) says the club is cooperating with the NHL's investigation into the matter 

'The issue of homophobia is one the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club strongly condemns and takes very seriously. We are in communication with the NHL and are cooperating fully with their office.' 

The play occurred late in the second period as the Lightning were killing off a penalty in their own defensive zone. 

Tampa Bay ultimately cleared the puck, leading to a three-on-one break and a short-handed goal for the Lightning's Cedric Paquette. 

But before Paquette could score, giving Tampa Bay an insurmountable 5-1 lead, one of the on-ice microphones picked up the slur. 

Without even being aware of what was said, the Scotiabank Arena crowd  voiced their displeasure with boos as the Leafs headed to the locker room for the second intermission.

'We were no good,' Toronto coach Mike Babcock said after the 6-2 loss.  

The play occurred late in the second period as the Lightning were killing off a penalty in their own defensive zone. Tampa Bay ultimately cleared the puck, leading to a three-on-one break and a short-handed goal for the Lightning's Cedric Paquette (pictured). But before Paquette could score, one of the on-ice microphones picked up the homophobic slur

The play occurred late in the second period as the Lightning were killing off a penalty in their own defensive zone. Tampa Bay ultimately cleared the puck, leading to a three-on-one break and a short-handed goal for the Lightning's Cedric Paquette (pictured). But before Paquette could score, one of the on-ice microphones picked up the homophobic slur

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