Maple Leafs Owner Steve Stavro has called an "emergency
board meeting for today to deal with the storm of
controversy over the handling of sexual abuse charges at
Maple Leaf Gardens," according to Mascolla & Brazao of the
TORONTO STAR. Stavro spoke to the STAR, "breaking his
silence for the first time since the scandal broke last
week." Stavro: "We are deeply hurt by this, and we will be
going into it thoroughly" (TORONTO STAR, 2/23).
TIGHT-LIPPED? Reaction in Toronto over the weekend
focused on the Leafs' handling of the charges and the team's
designation of GM Cliff Fletcher as its main spokesperson.
STAR columnist Dave Perkins wrote under the header: "Leaf
Conduct In Abuse Case Questionable." Perkins: "Upper, upper
management of the Maple Leafs obviously have decided that
Cliff Fletcher will carry the spokesperson's can on this
one. This is not inconsistent with Fletcher's having become
the organization's designated flak catcher" (TORONTO STAR,
2/22). The SUN's Steve Simmons: "Steve Stavro remains in
hiding. ... And Fletcher looks more and more uncomfortable
every time he peers into a television camera" (TORONTO SUN,
2/23). The SUN's Jim Hunt: "Stavro should have taken a more
active role in dealing with this scandal. ...At the very
least, the owner should have released a statement promising
a full investigation" (TORONTO SUN, 2/24). The GLOBE &
MAIL's Marty York reports that MLG directors "are planning
to fire" Fletcher at the end of the season. York: "Sources
close to Fletcher suspect that Stavro and Bellmore are
hanging him out to dry on the issue" (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/22).
