MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact have given Michael Salazar some time off after the rookie forward reportedly was targeted in an extortion attempt on social media.
La Presse reported that police are investigating a case of "sextorsion," in which a payment is demanded in return for not releasing compromising pictures or videos.
"We find the situation deplorable and Michael can count on the club’s support," the Impact said in a statement. "We will offer him our entire co-operation and we hope the investigation will be able to bring the perpetrators to justice."
A statement from Salazar called it a learning experience.
"I am really sorry about the situation and for any inconvenience I may have caused," he said. "I now totally realize the dangers of social media and the Internet.
"There are criminals out there who will not hesitate to use the web to cause you harm, and I am victim of this. So if my situation can at least create awareness for this awful problem, then something constructive will have come out of it."
The 23-year-old Salazar was given a few days off to deal with the situation.
The Impact selected the Belizean international 24th overall in the MLS SuperDraft in January.
