sport news Ime Oduka: Celtics female staffer hits out at 'disgusting' social media ... trends now
Boston Celtics reporter Amanda Pflugrad has slammed the incessant social media speculation surrounding the identity of the female employee who had an 'inappropriate' relationship with coach Ime Udoka.
Udoka was handed a one-year ban by the team this week - as well as a 'significant financial penalty' after 'multiple violations of conduct rules' - but the decision was made to keep the name of the woman involved a secret.
Some have claimed this has led to unfair speculation online and has dragged multiple innocent women into the rumors, and that point has been echoed by Pflugrad - herself an employee of the Celtics.
Amanda Pflugrad (right) is a Celtics reporter who has been dragged into online rumors
Ime Udoka was suspended for the season for having a relationship with an unnamed staffer
'As a female of the Celtics organization, watching these last few days unfold has been heartbreaking,' she wrote on Twitter Friday.
'Seeing uninvolved people's names thrown around in the media, including mine, with such carelessness is disgusting. This is a step backwards for women in sports who have worked hard to prove themselves in an industry they deserve to be in.'
Alongside the post, she added: 'It's time to speak up on this matter and to my female coworkers, I see you and I am always here #womeninsports.'
Over the last few days, fans have taken to social media in an attempt to work out the identity of the woman, with various conspiracy theories being widely shared.
This, unsurprisingly, has led to various innocent parties having their reputations tarnished, and Stephen A. Smith is among those urging the team to share more information.
Pflugrad has slammed the 'heartbreaking' and 'disgusting' rumors flying around online
She is one of many female members of staff in the organization that have been dragged in
