Fairchild suspended indefinitely from UA football team

BY NATE ALLEN Northwest Arkansas Times

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/nwat/63530/

University of Arkansas junior outside linebacker Freddie Fairchild is “ suspended indefinitely” from the Razorback football team, Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino announced Tuesday.

Fairchild was arrested last Monday in Fayetteville and charged with two misdemeanors of third degree battery and second degree false imprisonment.

A woman, described in the police report as Fairchild’s domestic partner, told Fayetteville police that Fairchild had attacked her, causing injuries to her head, face, arms, legs and pelvis and then did not allow her to leave the house for several hours.

Petrino, in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon by the UA’s sports information department, said, “ Freddie Fairchild has been suspended from our football team pending a review of a violation of team rules. He will not be allowed to participate in any team actvities 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. ”

A two-year letterman starter in 2005 and 2007, and granted a hardship eligibility year because of a season-ending knee injury in September of 2006, Fairchild is Arkansas’ leading returning tackler. He was third on the 8-5 Hogs last year with 92 behind departed seniors Matt Hewitt, 118, and Weston Dacus, 102. Fairchild had six lost-yardage tackles in 2007 including three quarterback sacks and was credited with eight quarterback hurries and forcing one fumble.

Under new coach Petrino, the Razorbacks begin spring drills on April 3.