Petrino suspends Fairchild

BY TOM MURPHY

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/220898/

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino suspended linebacker Freddie Fairchild indefinitely Tuesday after Fairchild’s arrest Monday on two misdemeanor charges.

Fairchild was arrested Monday by Fayetteville Police and charged with third-degree battery and second-degree false imprisonment. Both charges are Class A misdemeanors.

Fairchild, 21, was released on $ 1, 500 bond just past midnight Tuesday, according to the Washington County Sheriff ’s office.

“Freddie Fairchild has been suspended from our football team pending a review of a violation of team rules,” Petrino said in a short statement released through the university Tuesday. “He will not be allowed to participate in any team activities during the suspension. We will allow the legal process to take its course on this matter, and Freddie will be provided the appropriate support during this time.

“ The Razorback football program is committed to a high standard of conduct, and our student-athletes are expected to adhere to that standard on and off the field.”

Fairchild, 21, was arrested shortly after 1 p. m. Monday. The victim, a female who was described as Fairchild’s domestic partner in the police report, said Fairchild caused injuries to her head, face, arms, legs and pelvis. She also said Fairchild would not allow her to leave the dwelling for several hours after the alleged attack, according to the report.

Fairchild, a sophomore from Little Rock, started 11 games in 2007 and was third on the team with 92 tackles. He led the Razorbacks with 4 / 2 sacks.