NHL team owner suspended after ‘unacceptable’ posts in social media row about Israel

In response, Cifu said: “Actually being a whiny dope antisemite is clearly worse. Loser.”

However, the conversation became heated when Grizzo asked “not approving of using starvation as a weapon makes me a bigot?”, as well as making reference to Cifu’s financial success and personal politics.

This prompted an angry response from the executive, who said: “Eat s*** 51st state antisemite loser.

"Israel now and forever. Until ever [sic] last Hamas rat is eliminated.”

The 51^st state comment is believed to be a reference to President Trump’s stated ambition to make Canada the 51^st US state.

However, NHL authorities soon announced that they would suspend Cifu over his comments, calling them “unacceptable and inappropriate".

A statement from the league read: “The NHL has concluded that Mr Cifu’s X posts were unacceptable and inappropriate.

"As a result, Mr Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Club and the NHL.”

The suspension will remain in place at least until Cifu has a face-to-face meeting with the league’s commissioner Gary Bettman.

He also issued a personal apology for the tweets yesterday, telling Florida Hockey Now: “Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media.

“My behaviour does not reflect the standards of the Florida Panthers organisation... I sincerely apologise to all those affected by my comments. I am committed to working with the NHL to amend my actions.”